Contributions
387 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Sixth sitting)I forgot to make a point earlier about the common practice with penalty notices of offering a person the ability to pay less if they pay sooner, but if they exercise their right…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Fifth sitting)It is a pleasure to serve under you today, Mrs Lewell-Buck. I do not support the Conservative amendment. A lot of the discussion in Committee has been about reducing the risk of…04 Mar 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Sixth sitting)I have more serious questions about this part of the Bill than I have had about any other. I question the additional penalty notices: what goals do they have and will they be…04 Mar 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsT7. Expanding UK airport capacity has a very shaky case for economic benefits, because business is not increasing its use of air travel, and the UK sends three times as many…04 Mar 2025HANSARDGrenfell Tower Inquiry: Phase 2 ReportI thank the Deputy Prime Minister for, in particular, her comments about the way in which residents were treated. There have been strong recommendations for a review of the Civil…26 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Yes. The other powers that you mentioned already exist and are being transferred to a new place where things are conducted. Eligibility verification in the form that it is written…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Yes. Would you care to comment on the eligibility-verification powers more specifically? Alex Rothwell: I can see why there is concern. People have complex lives—perhaps it is not…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q Were those last two comments more about the effectiveness of the legislation? Alex Rothwell: Yes.25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)Q I want to go back to the question on proportionality. The previous witness emphasised that she was concerned that the eligibility-verification powers might go beyond…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (First sitting)As inquiries, but the difference is that we are talking about routine use. Alex Rothwell: More extensive use.25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q To follow up on that point, the Bill is called the Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill. Do you feel like there is enough built in to identify and deal with…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Those are errors that might be mistaken for fraud, given their outcome of people paying less or— Richard Las: Potentially. But it goes both ways, often. Sometimes people overpay…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q It does. Do you think the Bill does enough to deal with that issue? Joshua Reddaway: I am saying I do not think this Bill is about that issue.25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Okay. Even with that title? Joshua Reddaway: Even with that title.25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Are there any other issues in your consumer duties, particularly your duties towards vulnerable account holders, that you have raised with the Government? The Minister has…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q To follow up directly on that, the Government have not really been clear yet which further benefits might be added to the workload in future. Are you happy that this is left…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Those are helpful things to know. Did you have any more to say about vulnerable customers? I know we have had some representations from disabled people, for example. Eric…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Disabled people who receive direct payments have expressed some concern that there can be underspends and that these can build up. They have asked for a particular account to be…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Thank you for coming along. I think we should ask you the same general questions that we have asked all the other witnesses who have given evidence today. Do you believe that…25 Feb 2025HANSARDPublic Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill (Second sitting)Q Do you have anything more to say about what the unintended consequences of the Bill might be? Jasleen Chaggar: We are really concerned about the unintended consequences of the…25 Feb 2025