Contributions
635 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Disability BenefitsNorth Swindon.26 Mar 2024HANSARD Disability BenefitsIt is a pleasure to take part in this debate; I congratulate the hon. Member for Slough (Mr Dhesi) on securing it. All speakers have made some important points, although, as is…26 Mar 2024HANSARDSocial Security Benefits: Vulnerable PeopleIn addition to the financial support provided to personal independence payment claimants, what progress is being made to refer claimants proactively to the widest support…18 Mar 2024HANSARDDisability Action PlanI welcome these proposals, and I thank the fantastic disability unit team, and the stakeholders who have helped to shape them—in particular, the proposals on accessible play…05 Feb 2024HANSARDPersonal Independence Payment: People with Multiple SclerosisLearning the lessons of our changes to special rules for the terminally ill and the principles of the severe conditions criteria should allow us to look at those who sadly have…13 Nov 2023HANSARDWork Capability Assessment ConsultationWhen I was a Minister, whenever I went on a visit I would ask young disabled people what they would do if they were the Minister. They said that they would always want to have the…05 Sept 2023HANSARDDisability Benefits: AssessmentsAbsolutely. It would be valuable twofold. I talk to a lot of the assessors, and I know we are all going to highlight where there are challenges, but something like 95% of claims…04 Sept 2023HANSARDDisability Benefits: AssessmentsThe only thing within a contract that changes what an assessor is paid per assessment is that where there is poor quality, there is in effect a fine on the contract. Under the…04 Sept 2023HANSARDDisability Benefits: AssessmentsThere is absolutely zilcho in the assessor’s contract to try to lower the success rate of a claimant. That is part of the driver behind our spending an extra £10 billion a year—a…04 Sept 2023HANSARDDisability Benefits: AssessmentsThe hon. Lady highlights the point that every single claimant will have their own individual challenges and opportunities. The better the signposting that we give, the bigger the…04 Sept 2023HANSARDDisability Benefits: AssessmentsIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Mundell, and to follow the Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, who is very proactive and thorough in his work. I know…04 Sept 2023HANSARDDisability Benefits: AssessmentsIt is a difficult and fine balance, because the counter-argument is that the current approach allows people, before they turn 18 and therefore become fully responsible for their…04 Sept 2023HANSARDDisability Benefits: AssessmentsWill the right hon. Member give way?04 Sept 2023HANSARDDisability Benefits: Assessmentsindicated dissent .04 Sept 2023HANSARDDisability Benefits: AssessmentsAbsolutely, and that was one of the drivers behind our changes to the special rules on terminal illness. From the point of diagnosis, PIP is a gateway benefit that will unlock…04 Sept 2023HANSARDPersonal Independence Payment AssessmentsOur excellent, proactive Minister is no doubt testing out concepts ahead of the forthcoming White Paper. Does that include extending the severe conditions criteria so that people…04 Sept 2023HANSARDChildcare Reform PackageIt is a tribute to the Minister that she secured the single largest ever increase in funding in this important area and that the Labour Opposition could not even be bothered to…28 Jun 2023HANSARDImproving Hospital FacilitiesI warmly welcome the works beginning on the new £26 million A&E facility in Swindon, hot on the heels of the £23 million urgent care and radiotherapy centres. Will the Secretary…06 Jun 2023HANSARDChildren's Access to BooksIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Christopher, and to follow some excellent speeches. I pay particular tribute to my hon. Friend the Member for Rother Valley…06 Jun 2023HANSARDPeople with Disabilities: Cost of LivingUnderstood, Dr Huq. In conclusion, I urge the Minister to keep a laser-eyed focus on disability employment, ensuring that we provide support for not just the individuals seeking…16 May 2023