Contributions
592 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I contend that amendment 32 is simply disproportionate given the wide range of benefits that the Bill is expected to deliver to address fraud and error, not just in the social…18 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I begin with new clause 9, tabled by the hon. Member for South West Devon. I share her view that where the powers in the Bill are exercised, there should be a consideration of the…18 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Twelfth sitting)That is a reasonable question, and clearly the AI framework is not specific to vulnerable groups in the way that the hon. Lady sets out. Decisions regarding benefit entitlement or…18 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Twelfth sitting)I thank the hon. Member for tabling the new clause. The Government recognise the opportunities that AI and machine learning can provide, while also understanding the need to…18 Mar 2025HANSARDWelfare Fraud: Serious and Organised CrimeThe Department works collaboratively with other Departments and with law enforcement agencies on investigations of benefit fraud carried out by organised criminal gangs. New…17 Mar 2025HANSARDSupporting Care Leavers into EmploymentMy hon. Friend is absolutely correct to highlight those statistics. The number of care leavers not in education, employment or training is absolutely unacceptable, and he will be…17 Mar 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs the hon. Lady may know, the Department recently consulted on a range of proposals for future improvements to the child maintenance service, such as how we can protect people…17 Mar 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that this issue falls under the umbrella of wider fraud. We inherited an appalling level of fraud in the welfare system under the previous…17 Mar 2025HANSARDSupporting Care Leavers into EmploymentThe Department supports care leavers aged 16 to 24 through an extensive range of interventions to help them into employment. For example, care leavers who start an apprenticeship…17 Mar 2025HANSARDJobcentres: Impact on Economic GrowthThe right hon. Gentleman is correct to raise the issue of jobcentres reaching out to local employers. We know that we have a significant issue with whether the jobcentre is the…17 Mar 2025HANSARDJobcentres: Impact on Economic GrowthMy hon. Friend is correct to highlight the importance of tackling economic inactivity in order to drive up economic growth. This Government understand the negative effects that…17 Mar 2025HANSARDJobcentres: Impact on Economic GrowthSupporting everyone to find good, meaningful work and helping them to progress is vital for economic growth. That includes disabled people who want to work and contribute, but who…17 Mar 2025HANSARDWelfare Fraud: Serious and Organised CrimeMy hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. The eligibility verification measure in the new Bill will do just that, providing a crucial data feed to help us identify fraud that…17 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eleventh sitting)The clause amends the Social Security Administration Act 1992 to expand the types of overpayments that can be considered for an administrative penalty under sections 115A and 115B…13 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eleventh sitting)This straightforward amendment is a minor and technical change that looks to update section 6B of the Social Security Fraud Act 2001 by removing the phrase “the corresponding…13 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eleventh sitting)I thank the hon. Lady for pointing that out. I will take advice on whether a further amendment may be required but, as she says, it does appear obvious what I mean when I refer to…13 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eleventh sitting)It is a pleasure to serve again under your chairship, Sir Desmond. After that remarkably collegiate agreement on the most controversial item of today’s business—I hope—I turn to…13 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eleventh sitting)Members have asked a number of questions, which I will do my best to cover. On the broader context and content of the code of practice, I outlined a range of areas such as a…13 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eleventh sitting)The clause inserts proposed new section 80E into the Social Security Administration Act 1992. That provision gives DWP officials right of audience and allows them to conduct…13 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Eleventh sitting)I may have missed a question about costs, so will the hon. Lady please ask me that again if needed? The team members taking forward cases for us in the court will be HEO, or…13 Mar 2025