Contributions
1,402 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDSaving for the FutureThe contribution rates of the employer and employee are a very important matter, and we keep both under review.05 Feb 2024HANSARDSaving for the FutureI think the response to that is, always take your mother’s advice. I always did—and look where it got me. At the age of 16, I would have thought the hon. Gentleman would have been…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSaving for the FutureMay I first recognise the fantastic work my hon. Friend does on financial resilience? The Government have, through very difficult times, come forward with £104 billion of cost of…05 Feb 2024HANSARDBenefit LevelsI am not going to get involved in the crossfire between the Scottish National party and the Labour party, other than to say— [ Interruption. ]05 Feb 2024HANSARDBenefit LevelsThank you, Mr Speaker. The two-child cap is there for good reason: so that families in those circumstances are taking the same kind of decisions that others—the taxpayers funding…05 Feb 2024HANSARDBenefit LevelsWelfare is there to help those who need assistance, including many of the most vulnerable, which is why we increased most benefits by 6.7% for 2024-25. That was on top of an…05 Feb 2024HANSARDBenefit LevelsAs the hon. Gentleman will know, we keep all benefits under review. I point him to various things that we have done to ensure that we look after those lower-income families,…05 Feb 2024HANSARDIll Health: Economic InactivityI thank my hon. Friend for highlighting all the good work that has gone on in his constituency. I believe he opened a jobcentre only as recently as 30 January in his constituency.…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSaving for the FutureThe hon. Lady draws attention to savings for women. I have already stated that 40% of women invested in workplace pensions back in 2012, and that has skyrocketed to 86% today.…05 Feb 2024HANSARDSaving for the FutureThe increase in take-up since 2012 has been extraordinary, particularly among women, for whom the rate was 40% in 2012 and is now 86% and in line with men. My hon. Friend will…05 Feb 2024HANSARDEmployment Rate: OBR ForecastWe will continue to bear down on the level of unemployment. As the hon. Lady knows, economic inactivity has reduced, and we have 300,000 fewer people in economic inactivity than…18 Dec 2023HANSARDWelfare Fraud and ErrorThis is a long-standing issue that crops up every few years. It is not something on which the Government intend to take specific action. We trust people to manage their finances,…18 Dec 2023HANSARDDestitutionThe Government are, of course, fully committed to protecting the most vulnerable, which is why we rolled out £104 billion in cost of living payments across the period from 2022 to…18 Dec 2023HANSARDDestitutionI am not sure precisely which disability payment the hon. Gentleman is referring to, but certainly the cost of living disability payment has been paid this year, in addition to…18 Dec 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMay I begin by welcoming my new team to the Front Bench? Joining the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my hon. Friend the Member for Mid Sussex (Mims Davies), and…18 Dec 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend is being too modest in laying all the progress at the door of the Select Committee, because it was she in particular who pushed for those reforms to childcare…18 Dec 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI am certainly not going to start making policy up on the hoof at the Dispatch Box this afternoon or promising more money for statutory sickness pay. That would require…18 Dec 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs the hon. Lady will know, these are matters for the Treasury, and specifically for the Chancellor of the Exchequer. He and I have conversations on these matters and others.…18 Dec 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs the hon. Lady will know, there are ongoing discussions on these matters. By virtue of the legislation that underpins those interactions, the discussions are necessarily held in…18 Dec 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe hon. Gentleman is right. There has been a marked increase in the prevalence of mental health conditions, particularly among those aged 16 to 24, which is why we are bringing…18 Dec 2023