Contributions
233 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Inequality and Social MobilityThe hon. Gentleman must acknowledge, as I said earlier, that we took on an economic crisis in 2010 that required some reduction in spending, and those changes allowed us to…12 Jun 2019HANSARD Inequality and Social MobilityI know that the right hon. Gentleman has been very engaged in this subject. He will be aware that there are many reasons why people turn to food banks. There were some issues with…12 Jun 2019HANSARD Inequality and Social MobilityNot just now. I have heard success stories from people across the country who have been supported into their dream jobs through the hard work of my colleagues in jobcentres. I…12 Jun 2019HANSARD Inequality and Social MobilityI say to the hon. Gentleman that we recognise that there is more to do. I expect that those two areas have had the same differential for a long time, but this Government want to…12 Jun 2019HANSARD Inequality and Social MobilityI know there are people who have difficulties, and I listen to people in my Hastings constituency. I try to make sure that we respond as a Government, and I try to help them…12 Jun 2019HANSARD Inequality and Social MobilityMy right hon. Friend is absolutely right. It is now over a year that monthly increases in wages have exceeded inflation. That is the best way to get people out of poverty.12 Jun 2019HANSARD Inequality and Social MobilityThe number of people on zero-hours contracts has started to fall. This Government are always going to respond to the changing labour market and to regulate to ensure that it works…12 Jun 2019HANSARD Inequality and Social MobilityThe hon. Lady raises a good point. We are considering how best to respond, ensuring that we put the interests of the clients first. I also point out that we are spending £2…12 Jun 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsEmployment is at a record high, with 32.72 million people in work. Overall, 3.6 million more people have entered work since 2010, which is on average 1,000 people each and every…13 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am aware of this, and a number of Members of Parliament have raised issues with me. As a Member of Parliament myself, I know that we need to do better at making sure that people…13 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsIt is indeed interesting to hear of this success: the rate of self-employed people in Cornwall is 5.5 percentage points greater than the UK average. In Cornwall, jobcentres are…13 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am aware of the challenges faced by people on low incomes, which is why I am focusing on making sure that there is better access to higher-paid jobs. I am working on a number of…13 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank the hon. Gentleman for his cautious welcome of the announcement I made last week about ensuring that there will be no sanctions of more than six months, but, as my hon.…13 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI totally reject the hon. Lady’s approach to this. Universal credit is a welfare benefit system that, overall, is more generous and much more straightforward than the previous…13 May 2019HANSARDTopical Questionsindicated dissent .13 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsUniversal credit is a vast improvement on the legacy benefits. There were six different benefits and three different places; the system was incredibly difficult to navigate, and…13 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI can confirm that. We are ambitious to ensure that we continue to take children and families out of poverty, and we acknowledge that there is more to be done. I believe that the…13 May 2019HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that, and I know how much he has done to support people with brain conditions. We are ensuring that we do that through the welfare system,…13 May 2019HANSARDWorking People’s Income: Universal CreditI reassure the hon. Gentleman that we care enormously about ensuring that there are fewer children in poverty than before. There are fewer children in poverty and fewer families…13 May 2019HANSARDWorking People’s Income: Universal CreditIt is good to hear from my hon. Friend quite how enterprising his county is. I reassure him that work coaches provide additional support to allow those who want to become…13 May 2019