Contributions
959 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBenefits System: Fraud and ErrorMy hon. Friend is absolutely right: we want to see issues resolved as quickly as possible. I would stress that the vast majority—around 95%—of payments are paid correctly, and the…28 Jun 2021HANSARDBenefits System: Fraud and ErrorThe Department has taken huge steps to reduce and minimise fraud and error during the last 12 months. We have introduced a range of measures, including optimising digital…28 Jun 2021HANSARDChild PovertyI thank the hon. Gentleman for that question. As our economy improves, we will increasingly focus our support on in-work progression to improve opportunities for those in low-paid…28 Jun 2021HANSARDChild PovertyRecent statistics show that before the covid-19 pandemic, we were in a strong position, with rising incomes and 1.3 million fewer people, including 300,000 fewer children, in…28 Jun 2021HANSARDChild PovertyI thank the hon. Lady for her question. We are wholly committed to supporting families with children. We spent an estimated £111 billion, including £7.4 billion on covid-related…28 Jun 2021HANSARDChild PovertyThroughout the pandemic, our priority has been to protect the most vulnerable, which is why we spent an additional £7.4 billion last year to strengthen the welfare safety support…28 Jun 2021HANSARD£20 Universal Credit UpliftOur expectation is that, as the vaccine is widely rolled out, restrictions will be lifted and our economy will reopen over the next few months. Therefore, the Government’s focus…28 Jun 2021HANSARD£20 Universal Credit UpliftAs I said, our expectation is that as the vaccine roll-out gathers pace, as restrictions are eased, as our economy opens up and as our labour market starts to grow again over the…28 Jun 2021HANSARDChild PovertyThe hon. Gentleman knows that I will not be able to comment on live litigation, but what I would say is that we do have a comprehensive childcare offer, both as a Government and…28 Jun 2021HANSARDChild PovertyThe first thing I would say is that the Government have always been clear that the £20 increase to universal credit was a temporary measure to support households most affected by…28 Jun 2021HANSARDIn-work PovertyThe number of working-age adults in working families in absolute poverty before housing costs fell by 300,000 in 2019-20. We have strengthened the welfare system, spending £7.4…28 Jun 2021HANSARDIn-work PovertyThe Government are wholly committed to supporting the most vulnerable in our society, spending over £111 billion on working-age benefits in 2020-21, including an additional £7.4…28 Jun 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI think I have covered this one. As our economy improves, we will increasingly focus our support and work on in-work progression to improve the opportunities for those who are in…28 Jun 2021HANSARDIn-work PovertyOf course I do not want to see anybody in this country, let alone any child, growing up in poverty. Working-age adults in working families were approximately four times less…28 Jun 2021HANSARDSupport for Tenants with Rent ArrearsI thank my hon. Friend for his question. We continue to work very closely with the MHCLG to find long-term solutions to housing challenges. Work coaches are trained to identify…17 May 2021HANSARDTopical QuestionsI have explored this issue, which is a little bit more complicated than the hon. Lady makes out. We have been working with housing associations. I would be very happy to sit down…17 May 2021HANSARDSupport for Tenants with Rent ArrearsI thank the hon. Lady for that question. We take this issue incredibly seriously. That is why we pumped an additional nearly £1 billion into the local housing allowance and have…17 May 2021HANSARDIn-work PovertyAnalysis shows that prior to the pandemic, the poorest 20% of households saw their incomes increase by over 6% in 2019-20, even after taking account of inflation. Since the…17 May 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Support with Essential Living CostsThe right hon. Member knows that we are restricted, as per legislation, in what we can do in relation to the benefits system and those with no recourse to public funds. I know…17 May 2021HANSARDUniversal Credit UpliftSince the start of the pandemic, the Government’s priority has been to protect lives and people’s livelihoods. In March, the Government announced that we were extending the…17 May 2021