Contributions
1,127 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUniversal CreditI note the point about the timing of any decision, but that is with my friend in the other place, the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Government are redoubling and trebling our…01 Dec 2020HANSARDUniversal CreditAt the risk of repeating myself, I say that we are waiting for the Chancellor to assess the situation before making a decision about how best to support low-income families. As…01 Dec 2020HANSARDUniversal CreditFirst, I affirm that, as always, I am very happy to meet people, as the noble Baroness suggested. The Chancellor has said that, once we have a better understanding of the impact…01 Dec 2020HANSARDUniversal CreditI understand the noble Baroness’s concern over those hardest hit by the pandemic, especially their income, but it is not right to say that we are changing course. All we are…01 Dec 2020HANSARDUniversal CreditI can confirm that the DWP continues to support vulnerable groups, such as people with disabilities, through a series of safeguards and easements aimed at simplifying and…01 Dec 2020HANSARDSocial Security (Up-rating of Benefits) BillFirst, I thank all noble Lords for their contributions, which were valid and important. On the working-age benefits, as raised by all contributors, as soon as the Secretary of…17 Nov 2020HANSARDSocial Security (Up-rating of Benefits) BillMy Lords, in moving this Motion, I would like to confirm how pleased I am to have introduced the Social Security (Up-rating of Benefits) Bill into this House. I thank all noble…17 Nov 2020HANSARDSocial Security (Up-rating of Benefits) BillThat the Bill do now pass.17 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesMy Lords, I will respond first to the points raised by the noble Baronesses, Lady Sherlock, and then cover the points from the noble Baroness, Lady Janke. I am sorry that the…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesI thank the noble Lord for that poignant comment. I understand his concern and distress about this situation. The issue of the support—or otherwise, as he would say—for…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesI will answer again on the £20 uplift. We are in discussion with officials at the Treasury: when a decision has been made, Parliament will be advised. The issue of historical debt…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesThe right reverend Prelate is consistent in the issues that he raises, and I understand that. As for this happening more quickly, as I said, we were piloting and we were in…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesOn a long-term plan, the only commitment that I can make today on behalf of the Government is the one in the announcement. That is the straight answer on that point. I note the…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesThe £170 million scheme recognises that more people might feel under pressure this winter and will allow local authorities to support a wider group of vulnerable people, including…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesThe noble Baroness is correct in that we want to give people peace of mind, as reflected in the announcement that we have made. The right reverend Prelate made his statement, and…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesI can appreciate the noble Lord’s commitment to his three boys and the difficulties with their care caused by Covid. We have done as much as we possibly can to make sure that…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesI will go back and speak to my Secretary of State about the points the noble Baroness raises. I cannot make any commitment further than that. As the noble Baroness says, £16…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesThe noble Baroness raises a really important point about reporting. We will need some information back for the sums of money that we will be spending. I sincerely hope that the…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesThere is an exam question to finish this session. I will need to ask my colleagues in the Department of Health and Social Care to provide the noble Lord, Lord Rooker, with the…12 Nov 2020HANSARDSupporting Disadvantaged FamiliesI am pleased to tell the noble Baroness that there is already a forward-looking approach that is long-term and cross-departmental, with DWP working closely with the DfE and Defra…12 Nov 2020