Contributions
1,402 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDTopical QuestionsThat is a complete misunderstanding; the hon. Lady refers to reinstating the role, but all the responsibilities of the previous disability Minister have been taken over by the…18 Dec 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe record speaks for itself: this Government have been behind £104 billion-worth of support for the most vulnerable over the period 2022 to 2025; poverty in absolute terms, after…18 Dec 2023HANSARDJob Vacancies: StroudI had the great pleasure of visiting my hon. Friend’s jobcentre in April. Since then, it has been closed temporarily, I believe, and moved to Gloucester. I am sure there is no…18 Dec 2023HANSARDJob Vacancies: StroudI thank my hon. Friend for the question, and I would be delighted for either me or the relevant Minister to meet her. I know the terrific work she has done, particularly with…18 Dec 2023HANSARDWelfare Fraud and ErrorIn 2022-23, fraud and error fell by 10%. We are investing £900 million in addition to that which we have already put forward to prevent £2.4 billion of fraud and error by 2024-25.18 Dec 2023HANSARDWelfare Fraud and ErrorI thank my hon. Friend for what is a very important question, because there has been a great deal of scaremongering about what exactly these powers are about. I can make it…18 Dec 2023HANSARDEmployment Rate: OBR ForecastThe Government are committed to increasing employment. Payroll employment is at a near record high of 30.2 million, which is up 1.2 million on the pre-pandemic level. The Office…18 Dec 2023HANSARDEmployment Rate: OBR ForecastI cannot agree with that. In fact, I point the hon. Gentleman to the figure of 371,000, which is the number of people fewer the OBR forecasts will be on those very long-term…18 Dec 2023HANSARDEmployment Rate: OBR ForecastThe back to work plan has billions of pounds-worth of investment behind it, including the £3.5 billion announced by the Chancellor in the spring Budget. Such things as extending…18 Dec 2023HANSARDEmployment Rate: OBR ForecastI have already shared the figures with the House, which are that payroll employment is at a near historic high and unemployment is at a near historic low. As the hon. Lady will…18 Dec 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement ResolutionsThe hon. Lady has substantially described our plan. What she has not said is whether she supports it. Does she support our plan?27 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement Resolutionsrose —27 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement ResolutionsI was expecting a devastating, killer intervention, given how keen the hon. Lady was to intervene, but it never quite arrived. She will know that in the Budget, the Chancellor…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement ResolutionsThe hon. Gentleman raises a really important point. I have great respect for him, and I have appeared before the Select Committee and been cross-examined by him. He is right to…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement ResolutionsI give way to the hon. Lady.27 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement ResolutionsThe changes will help many more people who can work—who want to work—to gain all the benefits of a job. That is my mission. It is a mission that extends to helping anyone who…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement ResolutionsThose changes have opened many more opportunities for disabled people and those with health conditions to participate in work, and for employers to benefit from their talents, but…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement ResolutionsI will come to benefit reform momentarily, but let me assure the hon. Lady—I know that this is a particular concern of hers, and she is right to be concerned about these…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement ResolutionsAs usual, my right hon. Friend makes characteristically insightful remarks about the UK economy, not least about unemployment, where he is right: the expectation during covid was…27 Nov 2023HANSARDAutumn Statement ResolutionsMy right hon. Friend is attempting to tempt me into matters that I know are under discussion at the highest levels of Government at the moment around the policy that we should…27 Nov 2023