Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Benefit Cap

01 March 2022 · 1 other contributor

Opened by David Linden SNP Glasgow East

Benefits & Welfare

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

David Linden raised concerns about benefit cap in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Concerns raised about the benefit cap since 2013 affect over 6,400 households in Scotland, reducing weekly benefits by an average of 54.
  • The benefit cap disproportionately impacts single-parent families, with six out of ten capped households being single parents.
  • The benefit cap also affects minority ethnic households and larger families more severely, pushing them into deeper poverty.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

David Linden SNP Glasgow East

It is an honour to raise this debate on scrapping the benefit cap, paying tribute to the Poverty Alliance for their campaign. The SNP and others argue that the cap pushes families into poverty and hardship, particularly affecting single mothers and ethnic minority families disproportionately. Since its introduction in 2013, over 6,400 households in Scotland have had benefits capped, receiving on average £54 less per week than they would otherwise due to inflation cuts. The benefit cap impacts the most vulnerable people who cannot work to increase their income and pushes them further into poverty, exacerbating food poverty and reliance on food banks. It also disproportionately affects single-parent families with six out of ten households capped being single parents. Furthermore, it discriminates against minority ethnic households and larger families as well. The SNP calls for a root-and-branch review of the social security system to ensure support for those in need.

Other contributors (1)
  • David Rutley Con Macclesfield

    The MP congratulates David Linden on securing the debate and acknowledges their differing views. He emphasises that the benefit cap is part of a strategy to reform benefits for working-age people, incentivise work, reduce long-term dependency on benefits, and introduce fairness in the welfare system between those receiving out-of-work benefits and those in work.

Government Response

Chris Stephens

I congratulate David Linden on securing this debate. The Government is committed to providing a financial safety net for those who need it, with over £250 billion spent through the welfare system annually, including £41 billion on universal credit and more than £110 billion on working-age benefits. During the pandemic, we provided support where needed, spending over £400 billion protecting lives and livelihoods. The benefit cap aims to incentivise work, reduce long-term dependency on benefits, introduce fairness in welfare between those out of work and those in it, and make the system affordable for taxpayers. Households are exempt from the cap if they receive disability living allowance or personal independence payment, carer’s allowance, guardian’s allowance, UC claimants earning at least £617 per month, or housing benefit recipients eligible for working tax credits. The proportion of capped households remains low compared to the overall working-age benefit caseload. A statutory review of the cap levels will happen by December 2024.

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