Contributions
959 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDUniversal Credit UpliftThe Government have always been clear that the £20 increase was a temporary measure to support households affected by the economic shock of covid-19. I am pleased to say that…17 May 2021HANSARDUniversal Credit UpliftNo one in this House wants to see anyone in this country reliant on a food bank, and the Secretary of State and I are working across Government to identify and tackle the root…17 May 2021HANSARDUniversal Credit UpliftWe take this issue incredibly seriously, which is why we have the In-Work Progression Commission, which is due to report back soon, and why we spend over £100 billion a year…17 May 2021HANSARDUniversal Credit UpliftThe opposite is in fact the case. Many of those with a disability will be better off on universal credit, and it is important, as the hon. Gentleman suggests, that they go on a…17 May 2021HANSARDUniversal Credit UpliftI thank the hon. Gentleman for his question and welcome him to his place. Throughout this pandemic, this Government have consistently stepped up to support the lowest-paid,…17 May 2021HANSARDIn-work PovertyI thank the hon. Lady for her question, and I know the passion with which she raises the issue. We have measures in place to tackle in-work poverty, and we intend to go further:…17 May 2021HANSARDIn-work PovertyI thank the hon. Lady for her question, but the statistics show that full-time work substantially reduces the chance of poverty. The absolute poverty rate of a child where both…17 May 2021HANSARDIn-work PovertyWhen the opportunity allows, I would be delighted to visit the hon. Gentleman’s constituency. I would say to him, however, that a child growing up in a home where all the adults…17 May 2021HANSARDIn-work PovertyI have been absolutely clear. The evidence suggests that work is the best route out of poverty and that is why, through our £30 billion plan for jobs, we plan to make that happen.…17 May 2021HANSARDSupport for Families Living in PovertyThis Government have been clear that supporting people back into work and empowering them to progress in their role is the best approach to tackling poverty. Evidence shows that…17 May 2021HANSARDSupport for Families Living in PovertyI am disappointed in that question, and I certainly do not recognise the picture painted by the hon. Gentleman. This Government have stepped up to support people facing financial…17 May 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Support for People on Legacy BenefitsWe have introduced a substantial package of temporary welfare measures to support those on low incomes throughout the pandemic. We have paid out more than £100 billion in welfare…17 May 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Support for People on Legacy BenefitsIt is the policy of the Department not to comment on live litigation, so I will not comment on that aspect. I gently point out to the hon. Lady that we spend more than £57 billion…17 May 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Support for People on Legacy BenefitsI have a lot of time for the shadow Minister, but however many times she asks the same question she is going to get the same response. The Government have focused support on UC…17 May 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Support with Essential Living CostsI thank my hon. Friend for his question, and I do agree with him that the Government do not always know best. Actually, very often local authorities are best placed to decide how…17 May 2021HANSARDCovid-19: Support with Essential Living CostsThe Government are delivering an unprecedented package of support, injecting billions into the welfare system. This includes a £20 uplift to universal credit and a one-off payment…17 May 2021HANSARDSupport for Tenants with Rent ArrearsAt the start of the pandemic, we invested almost £1 billion in local housing allowance rates, and we have made £140 million available in discretionary housing payment funding for…17 May 2021HANSARDBenefit Fraud and Error StatisticsThe statistics for fraud and error in the benefit system for the financial year ending 2021 were published on 13 May 2021, at 9.30 am. When the pandemic struck last year, the…13 May 2021HANSARDUniversal Credit: Monthly Assessment PeriodWe introduced legislation on 16 November so that monthly earnings can be reallocated to another assessment period, meaning that claimants affected by this issue will therefore…08 Mar 2021HANSARDUniversal Credit: Monthly Assessment PeriodOf course, I will be very happy to meet the hon. Gentleman to discuss that individual case, and I am very sorry to hear of those circumstances. However, the Court of Appeal…08 Mar 2021