Social Security

Highlights that the current headline rate of benefits is the lowest it has been in real terms for 40 years and questions why Ministers have set benefits at a level lower than under previous governments.

Welcomes the social security uprating but criticises the variable approach to uprating from this Government, advocating for consistency and an end to speculation around benefits. Also mentions Labour's plans to improve children’s lives through better access to energy, insulated homes, reform of universal credit, jobcentres, and employment support.

Welcomes the rises in benefits and state pension but argues for a default increase by CPI and triple lock to avoid uncertainty. Suggests using later inflation figures for uprating benefits closer to actual cost of living and defends the triple lock's sustainability.

I express frustration over the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s report, highlighting destitution and hardship caused by the UK Government's social security policies. I argue that uprating benefits will not address cumulative damage from years of cuts. The current system is failing to support those in need due to debt deductions, two-child cap, and punitive sanctions. I cite statistics showing over 14 million people in poverty, including children and pensioners. I emphasise the impact of universal credit, with high food bank usage among recipients. I urge the Government to fix known issues or hand power to Scotland for better welfare outcomes.

Welcomed the uprating order but highlighted the context of cuts and freezes to working-age support since 2010. Noted that social security has been eroded, leading to a significant cut of over £20 billion annually. Cited the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s report on UK poverty, emphasising relative poverty levels are back to pre-pandemic figures. Discussed deep poverty and destitution with 3.8 million people unable to meet basic needs. Highlighted impact of poverty on children's health and development. Emphasised disproportionate effects on disabled and ethnic minority communities.

Intervened to highlight distressing statistics, noting that the height of children in the UK is falling behind European standards, a concern for child health and development.

Agreed with Debbie Abrahams on the importance of addressing poor-quality housing in combination with poverty, particularly how it affects heating costs and living conditions.

Pensioners have collectively relieved by the Government's decision on uprating but there are significant issues around women dying due to compensation disputes, pensioner poverty, and child poverty. Record numbers of families rely on emergency food parcels with a 25% increase in food bank use since 2018. The two-child limit and frozen benefit cap contribute to £39 billion annual cost of child poverty. Carer’s allowance needs reform as it is insufficient for carers. There are concerns about timely communication from the DWP on universal credit expansion.

Poverty levels in the UK are disgraceful, with increasing numbers accessing food banks and community centres for support. The two-child benefit policy discriminates against children in large families, affecting around 1.3 million children from 400,000 households. This policy should be re-examined as it leads to poverty that restricts educational and career opportunities. Housing benefits often fail to match the rise in private sector rents, necessitating rent controls and realistic local housing allowances.

Thanked participants in the debate, expressed disappointment at criticism of his work and emphasised that £19 billion in Government spending is a significant amount. He discussed the timely application of benefit measures and the modernisation of IT systems for benefits, including state pension benefits by 2025. Paul Maynard also mentioned over £104 billion of extra support provided to households with high living costs since Joseph Rowntree Foundation's report period. The Minister highlighted that the order will increase the state pension by 8.5% and most other benefit rates by 6.7%, committing to increased expenditure of £19 billion in 2024-25, maintaining work incentives and protecting benefit value.