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Supporting Disadvantaged Families
09 November 2020
Lead MP
Therese Coffey
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
TaxationBenefits & WelfareLocal Government
Other Contributors: 39
At a Glance
Therese Coffey raised concerns about supporting disadvantaged families in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, this Government have implemented an unprecedented package of support for individuals, families, communities, and businesses. In recognition of the challenges faced by those who lost their jobs or are struggling to make ends meet, the Prime Minister has pledged to ensure no child goes hungry during winter. The comprehensive package includes a £170 million covid winter grant scheme for local authorities in England, an increase in Healthy Start vouchers from £3.10 to £4.25 per week, and a national roll-out of the holiday activities and food programme starting from Easter 2021 with funding of £220 million. The minister also announced an additional £16 million for frontline food aid charities, matching an earlier provision made in May. The statement emphasises that local councils will distribute funds according to population deprivation index weightings, ensuring effective targeting and support for vulnerable families.
Jonathan Reynolds
Lab/Co-op
Stalybridge and Hyde
Question
The shadow criticises the timing of the Government's announcement, suggesting it is too late for half-term support. He also queries why universal credit is being cut despite evidence of hardship.
Minister reply
The Minister acknowledges the need to address immediate and long-term issues but does not provide a direct response to the criticism regarding the timing or the proposed cuts in Universal Credit.
Jonathan Reynolds
Lab/Co-op
Stalybridge and Hyde
Question
The MP welcomed any move that will stop children from going hungry over the tough months ahead. He expressed astonishment at the Government's late action and criticised toxic commentary on social media and in Parliament during previous debates about holiday hunger. The opposition supports the new measures but criticises the delay, noting that it took significant public pressure for the government to act. He also questions why this was necessary and asks for no cuts to universal credit next April.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State welcomed the support but pointed out that the measures represent a significant expansion of existing support with £170 million over 12 weeks, more targeted than Labour's proposal which would only cover school-age children. She also emphasised the importance of improving life chances through these initiatives.
Question
Welcoming the announcement despite not supporting it in previous votes, Paul Maynard asked how the money will be spent not just to meet immediate need but improve long-term life chances for young people.
Minister reply
The Minister emphasised that these schemes are among the most important things they can do to make a difference to a child's future and that they want every child to fulfil their potential.
Question
While welcoming some measures, Neil Grey pointed out that Scotland had been providing equivalent support earlier. He welcomed the UK Government’s decision on free school meals but noted it was only starting from next year while Scotland committed £10 million for Christmas and Easter extensions. He also asked about the two-child cap and universal credit cuts.
Minister reply
The Secretary of State reminded that Barnett consequentials will feed through to the Scottish Government, noting they did not provide support over half-term but future support is part of their legacy already. She emphasised the importance of financial resilience and management with claimants.
Dean Russell
Con
Watford
Question
I congratulate the Minister for her measures in supporting children and families during difficult times. Does she agree that these measures go beyond what was previously proposed regarding free school meals? Will this measure provide long-term sustainable support?
Minister reply
The approach uses local expertise, allowing councils to target vulnerable children effectively. Councils have access to information on benefits recipients, enabling them to allocate resources appropriately.
Stephen Timms
Lab
East Ham
Question
I welcome the additional support announced today and ask how funding will be allocated among local authorities in England. Will families with no recourse to public funds also receive assistance?
Minister reply
Funding allocation follows the index of multiple deprivation, similar to earlier distributions. Families without recourse to public funds are included in this support.
Steve Double
Con
St Austell and Newquay
Question
The additional funding for winter is given to councils as they understand community needs best. Should this support extend beyond those eligible for free school meals?
Minister reply
Councils are well-equipped to identify all children in need, going beyond just those on free school meals to ensure comprehensive assistance.
Sarah Owen
Lab
Luton North
Question
Despite community support during the pandemic, does the Minister agree that no child should face holiday hunger post-pandemic? What steps will be taken to address this issue beyond winter?
Minister reply
The Government supports families through measures like raising the personal tax allowance and introducing the national living wage. The In-Work Progression Commission aims to further assist those in work.
Steve Brine
Con
Winchester
Question
Does support with food costs extend to all eligible pre-school children, not just school-age children?
Minister reply
Yes, the comprehensive approach ensures that all eligible children, including pre-school children, receive necessary support through local council welfare funds.
Wendy Chamberlain
Lib Dem
North East Fife
Question
Why are devolved Administrations receiving less funding despite having correct priorities and sums?
Minister reply
Devolved Administrations receive a guaranteed amount of funding through the Barnett formula, with room for additional allocations via Barnett consequentials. The Chancellor's decision is fair.
Bury South
Question
Does the Minister agree that enriching activities during holidays can both improve educational attainment and ensure children receive healthy meals?
Minister reply
The holiday activities fund engages children in fun, enriching activities while also supporting their education. These programmes are essential for closing the attainment gap.
Andrew Gwynne
Ind
Gorton and Denton
Question
Welcomed the package of support for tackling child hunger over Christmas, highlighted Manchester City's Marcus Rashford as instrumental in prompting this Government action. Criticised proposed cut to universal credit and local housing allowance inadequacy.
Minister reply
Acknowledged increase in local housing allowance; discussed efforts towards reducing cost of living with the Under-Secretary of State for Education, the Minister for Business, Energy and Clean Growth.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Question
Welcomed extension of holiday activities programme. Asked about focus areas such as a nutritious meal, daily mile, purposeful activity to address holiday learning loss, cooking from scratch workshops, first aid sessions and whole family engagement.
Minister reply
Emphasised comprehensive approach including whole family involvement for sustainable future; highlighted inclusion of basic elements alongside sophisticated activities.
Mohammad Yasin
Lab
Bedford
Question
Expressed concerns over lack of financial assistance for SMEs, emphasised the need for government support to help businesses and families during crisis.
Minister reply
Referred to existing support through business loans and universal credit; highlighted that councils will identify eligible individuals for support under £170 million covid winter grant.
Question
Welcomed announcement on social justice, holiday activities programme. Asked for guidance to ensure access to the £170 million covid winter grant is unbureaucratic and asked about digitisation of Healthy Start vouchers.
Minister reply
Acknowledged value of community support; confirmed Health Secretary will be consulted on improving uptake of Healthy Start voucher.
Question
Praised Calderdale Council for its Never Hungry Again campaign and asked about reimbursement for resources invested to ensure no child went hungry during half-term.
Minister reply
Acknowledged community efforts; confirmed £63 million funding was allocated earlier in the year for extension from August through October.
Question
Complimented holiday activities fund and its importance in South Derbyshire, especially free and healthy meals.
Minister reply
Confirmed success of the holiday activities fund; stressed importance of nutritious meals and enriching elements for children.
Question
Asked about advances being loans instead of grants as per Work and Pensions Committee report. Inquired about permanent £20 uplift to universal credit.
Minister reply
Clarified that advances are early payments of the grant; discussed ongoing discussions with Treasury on aspects of welfare support.
Question
Expressed concern over deepening poverty in land, criticised previous government actions such as the reduction of Sure Start and children's centres.
Minister reply
Acknowledged difficulties faced by people due to coronavirus; highlighted additional welfare support of more than £9 billion. Emphasised targeted interventions for pre-school children.
Walsall South
Question
People who have already had a mortgage holiday for six months are not eligible for another one under the Government’s scheme, so many people will be worrying about how they will keep a roof over their heads this winter. Furthermore, the scheme does not cover mortgage interest, so that will still accrue during any payment holiday. Back in April 2018, the Government scrapped the support for mortgage interest payment and replaced it with a loan, despite warnings from Labour that that would put low-income households at risk. What consideration has the Secretary of State given to reinstating SMI, and will she abolish the nine-month waiting period, which renders the scheme unfit for purpose?
Minister reply
One of the things the hon. Lady fails to mention is that if those who are new to benefits have had full contributions over the last nine months, there is no cap on the benefits that they may receive. The support for mortgage interest is continuing. She is right to say that the Government changed that from a grant to a loan. That was the right thing to do, because people have an asset, and we are helping them to keep it. I am conscious of the extensive work undertaken by the Chancellor on ensuring that mortgages could be rearranged or that payments could be made. I am also conscious of the excellent work done by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on ensuring that no evictions would happen as a result of the issues we are facing, except, more recently, for people who are nuisance neighbours.
Maria Miller
Con
Basingstoke
Question
I warmly welcome this package of measures to support families through what will undoubtedly be a very hard winter. My right hon. Friend will be aware that, in constituencies such as mine, more than half of the people on low incomes are in single-person households, and they face a very different set of issues this winter. Can she confirm that funding for programmes that help people through homelessness, support rough sleepers and provide support on issues around mental health will not be diminished by the package of measures announced today?
Minister reply
I know Basingstoke well, because that is where I worked for many years, and I am conscious of the wide variety of communities there that are supportive of one another. I hope my right hon. Friend will be aware of the £700 million package announced by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government last week, to ensure that rough sleeping really does become history.
Neil Coyle
Lab
Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Question
Today’s measures are reactive; they have been forced out of this Government by the covid pandemic and the epic campaign of Marcus Rashford. The truth is that last year, the Trussell Trust had to provide 720,000 emergency packages of support to children in this country. That is more than 700,000 higher than when Labour left office in 2010. All we are asking today is for the Secretary of State to be proactive—scrap the benefit cap, scrap the universal credit delay and scrap the “no recourse to public funds” restrictions, which will all leave children hungry across this country if the Government continue to fail to listen.
Minister reply
This is a massive expansion of the holiday activities fund that we have been running for the past three years, and I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will welcome that. In terms of building on what we distributed earlier in the year—£63 million, as well as the covid summer scheme—£170 million will be there to make sure that every child has no need to go hungry in this country.
Tom Hunt
Lab
Ipswich
Question
Over the summer, the Under-Secretary of State for Education, my hon. Friend the Member for Chelmsford (Vicky Ford), visited me in Ipswich because we were one of the pilots where the holiday food and activities fund was in operation. I can tell everyone in this House that this has been a long time coming—it has been worked on by Government for a very long period and was very much a plan that they hoped to extend across the country. This is far more ambitious than what was proposed in terms of simply extending the school meal vouchers into the holidays; this is an unprecedented intervention to help those who need the help the most, and I fundamentally welcome it. But does my right hon. Friend agree with me that we all have a big job to do, both in this place but also as Government and as councils, to make sure that before December everyone is aware of this fund and the profile is raised so that we can ensure that those who are vulnerable and need the help the most get access to it in a timely way?
Minister reply
I completely agree with my hon. Friend and neighbour on the excellent work that was done through the holiday activities fund in the summer in Ipswich. He will be conscious of the diverse community that he represents, but also the excellent work undertaken by Suffolk County Council, and indeed all public sector leaders, in trying to make sure that they have distributed the funds that were allocated to them earlier in the year and have added money on top.
David Johnston
Con
Kingston upon Hull North
Question
I very much welcome this package of support today, which will rightly tackle more aspects of poverty than efforts with vouchers could have done. Regarding the additional support for FareShare, we have in my constituency one of its regional partners, SOFEA, which I volunteered for regularly in lockdown, seeing first-hand what a great job it does. Does my right hon. Friend agree that charities such as this are often better placed to understand the needs of their communities than central Government are?
Minister reply
I congratulate my hon. Friend. I know how dedicated he was, before entering this House, to social mobility and tackling poverty, and he continues to be so. I fully agree that a lot of local charities have a particular insight into their communities and are often helped by more national organisations such as FareShare.
Barbara Keeley
Lab
Worsley and Eccles South
Question
I want to raise the issue of carers and financial disadvantage. During this crisis, millions of unpaid carers have taken on more caring duties or started caring for a family member for the first time, and many of them are struggling to make ends meet. Although universal credit was uplifted during the crisis to provide people with more support, there was no change to the level of carers allowance, despite it being the lowest benefit of its kind. Will the Secretary of State recognise the monumental impact that the pandemic has had on carers’ lives and introduce an equivalent uplift payment to that for universal credit for carers in receipt of carers allowance?
Minister reply
I heard part of the hon. Lady’s question and I think the whole House can agree how much we value carers not only as a Government but often through experiences in our own individual lives. I am conscious that carers allowance is not a salary—it is there as a benefit to help people who undertake that duty.
Andy Carter
Con
Warrington South
Question
Can I welcome the statement today from the Secretary of State? It is very much an extension to our policy, and it is adapting to the extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in in this country. Can she confirm that the £170 million scheme builds on the £63 million already announced earlier this year, and as with previous funding allocations, it is local councils that get that cash—in my constituency, it is Warrington Borough Council—because they are best placed to be able to deliver the support that local disadvantaged families need in this time of extraordinary circumstance?
Minister reply
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The people in Warrington will benefit significantly from this addition to what is—in effect, through the covid winter grant—an extension of the local welfare fund, which we had already given money to earlier in the year, as he identifies.
Mary Foy
Lab
City of Durham
Question
Last month, Conservative Members took to social media to claim that free school meal vouchers were being spent on prostitution and drugs, as well as to criticise selfless business owners who stepped in to provide the support that the Government refused to. Will the Secretary of State condemn these comments by MPs as not only false, but as yet more demonisation of those in poverty by the Conservative Government?
Minister reply
This Government continue to strive to help people who are vulnerable and disadvantaged, and we will continue to do that. I welcome any support given in order to help local communities. I am conscious that we need to continue to try to make sure we reach people of all ages; in particular, this grant is focused on children.
Jonathan Gullis
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Question
The MP thanked the Secretary of State for providing funding to Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Staffordshire County Council. He asked the Minister to meet him and Carol Shanahan, founder of the Hubb Foundation holiday club in Burslem, to discuss how her programme could be funded for the Christmas and Easter periods.
Minister reply
The Minister welcomed the benefits that activities like the holiday activity fund can bring to children's futures. She agreed to have the Minister for children lead on this programme with support from other Ministers who would meet Mr Gullis and Carol Shanahan to learn from successful programmes.
Naseem Shah
Lab
Bradford West
Question
The MP welcomed anything that helps constituents but criticised the Secretary of State for using the words 'social justice' when announcing the package, considering it a misuse. He highlighted the fast-growing rate of child poverty in his constituency and thanked local businesses and organisations for their support.
Minister reply
The Minister rejected the hon. Lady's assertion and defended her comments, stating that Labour left the country with no money and took 10 years to recover from economic deficits. She emphasised the importance of initiatives like the furlough scheme in helping constituents through difficult times.
Miriam Cates
Con
Penistone and Stocksbridge
Question
The MP welcomed the funding for Barnsley Council and Sheffield, highlighting that free school meals were not designed to support families in crisis. She asked if local authorities would be able to use this fund to support all families, not just those who have previously registered.
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that councils will not pre-qualify recipients for support through existing methods and will utilise benefits data from various sources to target assistance effectively.
Beth Winter
Lab
Crewe and Nantwich
Question
The MP referenced research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation on increased poverty rates due to the pandemic. She asked for a meeting with the Secretary of State to discuss support for universal basic income pilots.
Minister reply
The Minister declined, stating that her Department will not support universal basic income initiatives.
Jack Brereton
Con
Rother Valley
Question
The MP supported the announcement and highlighted unemployment issues in Stoke-on-Trent. He asked what steps were being taken to help people find new employment opportunities.
Minister reply
The Minister mentioned the plan for jobs, which includes JETS—job entry targeted support—and other schemes to help individuals prepare for work.
Yvonne Fovargue
Lab
Makerfield
Question
The MP welcomed the expansion of grants but urged the Secretary of State to eliminate the five-week delay in claiming universal credit. She noted that advances are loans and can push families into debt.
Minister reply
The Minister responded that an advance is given within about three or four days, which is an earlier payment spread over 13 months rather than 12.
Kevin Hollinrake
Con
Thirsk and Malton
Question
As co-chair of the all-party group on poverty, the MP welcomed the statement. He asked how this strategy would dovetail with the national food strategy.
Minister reply
The Minister highlighted that the Government is developing a food strategy based on Henry Dimbleby's review and will ensure nutritious food for young children and expectant mothers through Healthy Start vouchers.
Central Scotland
Question
The MP referenced the UN special rapporteur’s report highlighting that disabled people have been among the hardest hit by austerity measures. She asked for a permanent increase in universal credit and an extension of the uplift to all legacy benefits.
Minister reply
The Minister stated that people can move to universal credit, except for those receiving severe disability premium, who will be able to make the transition from January.
Caroline Ansell
Con
Eastbourne
Question
I sincerely thank my right hon. Friend and the Ministers who have worked intensively during this period to bring these measures to the House today. They are incredibly welcome and will make a real difference to children in Eastbourne and Willingdon. I recognise that they go further, wider and deeper than the motion I supported two weeks ago. I particularly welcome the extension of the holiday and food activities programme, not least because we have seen schools close this year, and the learning gap has widened. These measures will help with that and be impactful. The programme is new to Eastbourne. I have seen the success of pilot schemes in other areas, and it is something I hugely welcome. Will my right hon. Friend assure me that good practice in other areas will be shared with county councils that do not have experience of delivering these programmes, to ensure that every child benefits to the maximum?
Minister reply
I thank my hon. Friend for her remarks, and she is right to recognise that this support package is much more comprehensive in reaching disadvantaged children. I particularly welcome her support for the national roll-out of the holiday activities programme. Not only will there be guidance, but I genuinely hope that we can do something innovative regarding how we share best practice between the most successful schemes. We must encourage charities, in a covid-secure way, to find out what is happening in different parts of the country, so that they will be well prepared when these programmes start at Easter.
Christine Jardine
Lib Dem
Edinburgh West
Question
While I welcome this latest U-turn from the Government on supporting children, I ask them to consider the fact that there are still millions of people in this country, like the constituent I spoke to on Wednesday who was at her wits’ end, who have had no help, no support, no finance from the Government at all since March. Will the Government reconsider? Will they consider universal basic income? Will they extend the help we have at the moment to the excluded?
Minister reply
No, we will not be doing universal basic income.
Question
A long-term and local approach was always going to be the best thing to help families. I feel quite emotional about this, because I was told that I was starving children and that I was killing children—I had the worst abuse ever. I abstained because I wanted to help the Government to look at that long-term approach. If Opposition Members really thought that children would be starving over the half-term holidays, they would not have brought that just before the half-term holidays. The local approach is working and I ask the Secretary of State to give praise to charities such as The Long Table, the Freezers of Love initiative and Paganhill community groups, and say to them that the money and the funding will be there, because they know where the families are who they can help.
Minister reply
It is nice to see my hon. Friend back in the House after her maternity leave. She speaks with appropriate compassion and she recognises some of the local organisations in her area. I encourage her to work with them and her council to help to ensure that the £170 million funding can be effectively distributed, so that the most disadvantaged children and families are truly helped. We want to make sure that that activity continues to support similar children through the holiday activity fund.
Shadow Comment
Jonathan Reynolds
Shadow Comment
The Opposition welcomes the move but criticises the Government's delayed response. The Shadow Minister notes that the statement contradicts recent debates where Conservatives argued against similar measures. He expresses dismay at the lack of understanding shown by some Conservative MPs regarding poverty and social welfare. Reynolds commends Marcus Rashford for his campaign, which spurred businesses to act when the Government did not. He also highlights the inadequacy of the current social security system and calls for an immediate review of food bank use data. The shadow urges the Government to reconsider its plans to cut Universal Credit by £20 in April 2021, a decision that could affect over six million families.
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