Contributions
1,402 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDDestitution: ChildrenI think that our record is extremely clear. Since 2010, we have 1.7 million fewer people in absolute poverty, 400,000 fewer children in absolute poverty, and 200,000 fewer…13 Nov 2023HANSARDDestitution: ChildrenNo, I am afraid that I cannot agree with that at all. I have just gone through the various figures pointing to the decline in the level of absolute poverty, including 400,000…13 Nov 2023HANSARDDestitution: ChildrenThe common theme in all the questions that we have had on this substantive question is a lack of memory as to what happened under the previous Labour Government. Under that…13 Nov 2023HANSARDDestitution: ChildrenHeaven forbid that we do have another Labour Government, Mr Speaker, because I have just set out the case against the last one and their appalling record on poverty. When it comes…13 Nov 2023HANSARDDestitution: ChildrenThe hon. Gentleman raises mortgage payments in particular; we have extended the scope of the support for mortgage interest arrangements, particularly for those who have not long…13 Nov 2023HANSARDDestitution: ChildrenI cannot comment on the specific case that the hon. Gentleman has put forward, other than to say that what he has described is of concern to me and I will want us to look into…13 Nov 2023HANSARDDestitution: ChildrenI completely agree with the hon. Gentleman that one child in destitution is one too many. One person in poverty is one too many. One person who is unemployed and badly wants a job…13 Nov 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsGiven that remembrance is still fresh in all our minds, I take the opportunity to pay tribute to the armed forces champions who work across our jobcentre network looking after…13 Nov 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI certainly agree with the hon. Gentleman that poverty is not a lifestyle choice. We have gone through various statistics during questions, with 1.7 million fewer people in…13 Nov 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe reason for that—I am feeling rather less generous—is that we have seen Labour’s plans in the past, and no Labour Government have ever left office with unemployment anything…13 Nov 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI thank my hon. Friend for his typically astute question and for his advice in this area over a number of months. We have gone out to consultation on the work capability…13 Nov 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsVery briefly, I have set out our employment record, which we are proud of. In his last Budget, the Chancellor set aside £2 billion to fund measures to tackle long-term sickness…13 Nov 2023HANSARDTopical QuestionsI will certainly look into the letter to which the hon. Gentleman refers, but I assure him that LHA and other housing matters are under constant review, and form part of the…13 Nov 2023HANSARDWork Capability Assessment ConsultationI listen to the hon. Lady’s remarks with great respect; having appeared before her at the Select Committee, I know how serious she is about the issues she raises and how strongly…05 Sept 2023HANSARDWork Capability Assessment ConsultationI thank my hon. Friend for that typically sensible and astute intervention. May I personally thank him for the advice and input he has given over the preceding months,…05 Sept 2023HANSARDWork Capability Assessment ConsultationNothing in the consultation excludes bringing forward exactly the point that the hon. Lady makes. I hope she will do just that, and encourage others to do so as well.05 Sept 2023HANSARDWork Capability Assessment ConsultationThat sentiment of taking on the employers is probably not conducive to having an economy that is generating the jobs that have occurred under this Government. As to the…05 Sept 2023HANSARDWork Capability Assessment ConsultationI thank my hon. Friend for the advice and support he has given me when we have discussed these issues over the last few months. I know he is extremely knowledgeable in this area.…05 Sept 2023HANSARDWork Capability Assessment ConsultationI can give the hon. Lady exactly that assurance when it comes to ME. I point her to the White Paper that we published in March, in which we made a clear commitment on fluctuating…05 Sept 2023HANSARDWork Capability Assessment ConsultationIt is correct that we have gone from 21% to 65% in that short space of time and I recognise that that statistic is simply unacceptable. We know that one in five people in that…05 Sept 2023