Contributions
1,125 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDReview of Carer’s Allowance OverpaymentsLiz Sayce did an outstanding forensic job in getting to the bottom of the carer’s allowance overpayment problems. We have accepted or partially accepted 38 of her 40…08 Dec 2025HANSARDReview of Carer’s Allowance OverpaymentsMy hon. Friend is a great campaigner for carers on this issue and others. She is absolutely right: this is a very serious problem that was ignored for 10 years, despite there…08 Dec 2025HANSARDReview of Carer’s Allowance OverpaymentsThe hon. Gentleman will know that the carer’s allowance has an earnings threshold, which we have increased very significantly—the biggest increase in the earnings threshold that…08 Dec 2025HANSARDReview of Carer’s Allowance OverpaymentsI am very sorry about what happened to many carers. For example, only about half of the alerts that came into the Department from HMRC were checked, so overpayments that the…08 Dec 2025HANSARDSupport into Work: Health ConditionsThe Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham (Dame Diana Johnson), just mentioned our…08 Dec 2025HANSARDSupport into Work: Health ConditionsThere is a great deal of work to be done: the disability employment gap has been stuck at around 30 percentage points ever since 2010. We have talked already today about…08 Dec 2025HANSARDSupport into Work: Health ConditionsI am sure that the hon. Lady will be interested in the recent report published by the BSL Advisory Board, which works with the Government specifically on BSL. I met members of the…08 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsAs my hon. Friend says, it is against the law to impose age restrictions on jobs unless they can be objectively justified. The Equality Act 2010 provides legal redress. There is…08 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI do not know what the hon. Gentleman is referring to. I will happily look into the report he has spoken of. There will be no changes at all to eligibility for personal…08 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsIn April, there will be a permanent real-terms increase in the headline rate of out-of-work benefits for the first time, I think, since the 1970s. We are taking £150 on average…08 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsWhether people get PIP is not about whether they can work—they may be working or not. The limited capability for work-related activity part of universal credit is about whether or…08 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI would be happy to look into the details. I was not aware of that whistleblowing report, but I would be happy to look at it.08 Dec 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsI would be very happy to meet my hon. Friend.08 Dec 2025HANSARDCarer's Allowance Overpayments ReviewThe Government have today published the report from the independent review into overpayments of carer’s allowance linked to earnings and the Government’s response to its…25 Nov 2025HANSARDTopical QuestionsYes, I do. We want a more inclusive society where neurodivergent people, including those with dyspraxia, are supported to thrive. We are working across Government to support…05 Nov 2025HANSARD Welfare SpendingMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. The disability employment gap fell steadily under the previous Labour Government, but it has been stuck at about 30% ever since 2010. There was…04 Nov 2025HANSARD Welfare SpendingIt is vital that we make sure that those in real need do not miss out, and I can reassure the hon. Lady that I am in fairly regular contact with her colleague in the Northern…04 Nov 2025HANSARD Welfare SpendingWe have made major changes in the Universal Credit Act 2025, which will take effect in April of next year. We are making the changes that are needed. Lastly, when building a more…04 Nov 2025HANSARD Welfare SpendingI will make a little more headway. The review will be co-produced with disabled people, to ensure that the system supports disabled people to achieve better health, higher living…04 Nov 2025HANSARD Welfare SpendingI enjoyed listening to the shadow Secretary of State’s fierce critique of the state of the benefits system that was left behind after 14 years of Tory government. She made some…04 Nov 2025