Contributions
1,127 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPension Schemes Bill [HL]My Lords, government Amendments 75, 76, 77 and 78 seek to amend new Sections 41A and 41B of the Pensions Act 1995, which are to be inserted by Clause 124, introduced by the…30 Jun 2020HANSARDUniversal Credit: Court of Appeal JudgmentI completely agree with my noble friend. We would never have coped with the increase in demand in universal credit claimants had we not had the digital UC system.29 Jun 2020HANSARDUniversal Credit: Court of Appeal JudgmentI assure the noble Baroness that the issues and successes coming out of universal credit are continually under review. However, I will take her specific question back to the…29 Jun 2020HANSARDUniversal Credit: Court of Appeal JudgmentIt may be helpful if I repeat for the House the Answer that my friend the Minister for Welfare Delivery gave in the other place last week. He said: “I am absolutely determined to…29 Jun 2020HANSARDUniversal Credit: Court of Appeal JudgmentI can tell my noble friend Lady Stroud that we have been amazed and pleased that the universal credit digital system has shown enormous resilience. We have had a 600% increase in…29 Jun 2020HANSARDUniversal Credit: Court of Appeal JudgmentI am pleased to say that the figure of 85,000 that the noble Baroness refers to is not one that resonates with us. We believe that the number of people impacted by this judgment…29 Jun 2020HANSARDUniversal Credit: Court of Appeal JudgmentThe Government have worked at pace to ensure that money gets to people in a timely manner to avoid hardship and as many difficulties as we can. I can confirm that 1 million…29 Jun 2020HANSARDUniversal Credit: Court of Appeal JudgmentThe noble Baroness makes a good point. We have never, ever suggested that the universal credit system is 100% perfect, but it has absolutely delivered in terms of paying the…29 Jun 2020HANSARDUniversal Credit: Court of Appeal JudgmentI say again to the noble Lord that we are considering the judgment. We are working at pace to find a fix. The universal credit system, which has dealt with a massive increase in…29 Jun 2020HANSARDUniversal Credit: Court of Appeal JudgmentI assure my noble friend and the whole House that the universal credit system has stood up well to the increased demand of 600% additional cost. I have repeated the Answer that my…29 Jun 2020HANSARDUniversal Credit: Court of Appeal JudgmentI can advise the noble Baroness that, during our consideration of the outcome of the court’s verdict, we will consider any necessary retrospective payments.29 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Child PovertyI am aware of the letter and the Trussell Trust figures the noble Baroness refers to, but we have put more money into helping with food poverty, as I have said before. We had an…15 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Child PovertyWe are aware that the free school meal vouchers scheme is working for thousands of schools. I am pleased to say it has been reported that more than £120 million-worth of vouchers…15 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Child PovertyI have already mentioned the unprecedented fiscal package we have at our disposal to deal with this, but I would also like to talk about the Reducing Parental Conflict programme,…15 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Child PovertyThe changes we have made to the welfare system are part of a broader range of measures brought in across government to meet the need of those affected by Covid-19. We are doing…15 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Child PovertyMy Lords, our current focus is on supporting people financially through these unprecedented times. We are actively reviewing all measures at our disposal to identify how we can…15 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Child PovertyI completely understand the point the noble Baroness is making. To answer her question, I will need to go away, get the facts and write to her.15 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Child PovertyI am well aware of the situation in Leicester; there has been much in the press about it. The Government are absolutely committed to supporting hard-working families. While any…15 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Child PovertyI accept that the Social Mobility Commission report has highlighted some important poverty issues and gaps, but compared with 2010—notwithstanding the Covid-19 virus—there are…15 Jun 2020HANSARDCovid-19: Child PovertyMy Lords, in addition to the £5 billion increase in benefit rates from April 2020, this Government have introduced an unprecedented package of support of over £6.5 billion to help…15 Jun 2020