Topical Questions 2024-05-13

2024-05-13

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The MP congratulates the Secretary of State on his elevation to a new position.
I join the Secretary of State in congratulating the Minister on her elevation—it is not before time. This Conservative Government have an enviable record when it comes to employment, with 4 million more people in work since 2010. I was pleased to hear that one of the integrated care boards involved in the WorkWell scheme, which my right hon. Friend has just mentioned, will be Greater Manchester ICB, which means that my constituents will have access to integrated health and employment support from October.
My hon. Friend is right. The scheme is being rolled out in Greater Manchester, in parts of London, in Cambridgeshire and all the way to the Isles of Scilly and parts of Cornwall. It brings together healthcare support and work coach support to ensure that we do everything we can to help into work those who face barriers to work.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Context
The MP notes that UK pensioners face significant financial challenges due to the combination of low pensions and high taxation.
It is an unavoidable fact that the United Kingdom has one of the lowest pensions in the developed world, and pensioner poverty is a very real issue. I meet constituents who are pensioners reasonably frequently, and all the increases that the Government have provided for them have been lost through taxation. For example, Peter's private pension will be cut by £681 a year, while Mr and Mrs Clark's modest private pension has been slashed by nearly 50%. They did the right thing and put away a little extra for their retirement; will the Government now do the right thing and correct the position so that they can enjoy it?
Let me simply point to what the Resolution Foundation had to say in its Living Standards Outlook: pensioner poverty is forecast to fall.
Assessment & feedback
The answer avoided addressing the specific ask about correcting pensions being reduced through taxation and instead provided a general statement on forecasted trends.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The MP questions the importance of the current work plan under Conservative leadership, noting that it might not survive under Labour.
Given that it would not survive under Labour, just how vital is the work plan?
My right hon. Friend is entirely right to raise that point: in the absence of this Government, the work plan will be no more. The problem is that we do not know exactly what will replace it, because there is no plan from the party opposite—no plan on work capability assessments, no plan on personal independence payments, no plan on fit notes. We do not know what Labour stands for, so let us stick with the plan, and let us elect a Conservative Government at the next election.
Assessment & feedback
Attack
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Desmond Swayne Con
New Forest West
Context
The MP references a report indicating that 1 million children experienced destitution in the UK last year, questioning whether the Government have failed these vulnerable individuals.
A recent report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation revealed, shockingly, that 1 million children experienced destitution in the UK last year. Is it not the case that the Government have completely failed the most vulnerable children in our society?
No, not at all. We are providing significant support through the welfare system and expect to spend about £306 billion in the current financial year, including £138 billion on children and those of working age. We are focused on targeting cost of living support to the most vulnerable families. The local housing allowance, for instance, helped 1.6 million families in that bracket.
Assessment & feedback
The answer avoided addressing the specific ask about whether the Government have failed these children and instead provided a broad statement on welfare support.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Stephen Morgan Lab
Portsmouth South
Context
The MP praises his local jobcentre for its efforts in getting people into employment but raises concerns about new challenges threatening the welfare system's sustainability.
Let me begin by praising my local jobcentre in Bexleyheath for the tremendous work it is doing to get people into employment. I visited it on Friday and was very impressed. Our welfare system should always be there to protect the most vulnerable in our society, but new challenges are threatening its sustainability and preventing it from working as intended. I therefore welcome my right hon. Friend's plans to target the system better towards those who need it most, by controlling spiralling costs and ensuring that it is fair to the taxpayer.
My right hon. Friend is, as always, absolutely right. We must have a system that targets the most vulnerable in society, and it must also be fair to the taxpayer, because that is part of what underpins the confidence that the public have in our welfare state—and that is worth preserving.
Assessment & feedback
The answer avoided addressing the specific ask about new measures for sustainability and instead provided a general statement on targeting support and fairness to taxpayers.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
The MP notes that during the time the ombudsman's report has been ongoing, a significant number of WASPI women have already passed away, pressing for action on recommendations.
During the time for which the ombudsman's report has been ongoing, 270,000 WASPI women have already passed away. How many more 1950s-born women in Lancashire will die before the Government finally act on the report's recommendations?
I have already replied to questions on that matter in this session. To reiterate, we are looking extremely carefully at what is a very complex report. It took the ombudsman five years or thereabouts to compile, and there will be no undue delay in our responding to it.
Assessment & feedback
The answer avoided addressing the specific ask about preventing further deaths among WASPI women and instead provided a statement on the timeline of reviewing the report.
Under Review
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Cat Smith Lab
Lancaster and Wyre
Context
The MP commends efforts to make work pay but raises the issue of voluntary support in jobcentres and asks for measures encouraging people to upskill.
I commend the Secretary of State for his efforts to make work pay, but for many of those in work, a lot of the excellent support available in jobcentres is currently voluntary. Will my right hon. Friend look at what more he can do to encourage people in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to upskill in order to take on more well-paid work, and to reduce dependency on benefits?
Happy birthday! I am sure my hon. Friend's family and small children will be wishing him well from Stoke. As has been outlined, there is great work going on. I met the Skills Minister only last week to discuss the better join-up that is happening, and we are really focused on allowing people to progress in work. Allowing them to move up and move on, and to stay and succeed in work, is just as important as getting that first job.
Assessment & feedback
The answer avoided addressing the specific ask about encouraging upskilling among workers and instead provided a general statement on progress in work.
Process Answer
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Context
A Backbench Business debate on footballers' brain injuries was held in the House of Commons on 14 September 2023. The debate resulted in a commitment from the Minister to arrange a meeting for cross-party discussion with the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council.
On 14 September, I led a Backbench Business debate asking for government action on footballers with brain injuries. A commitment was made by the Minister and the DWP Minister Tom Pursglove to meet us to discuss this issue. However, despite follow-up letters from me on January 18th and March 13th, as well as a Westminster Hall debate on April 24th, no meeting has been held yet. Can we get that meeting with the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council?
I have met the chair of the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council and will continue engaging on this issue. The council is investigating any link between neurodegenerative diseases and professional sports, and their findings will be published once complete. I am also working with the Sports Minister to share information.
Assessment & feedback
The meeting was not confirmed or scheduled
Response accuracy
Q9 Direct Answer
Context
The WorkWell programme aims to integrate health advice for disabled individuals, helping them start, stay and succeed in work. The NHS North West London ICB is one of 15 partnerships selected as lead partners for the new WorkWell initiative.
NHS North West London ICB has been chosen as a pilot area for the WorkWell programme which aims to provide integrated health advice for disabled individuals. Can my hon. Friend meet me to discuss how we can maximise the effectiveness of this programme in Uxbridge and South Ruislip?
I welcome my hon. Friend's interest in WorkWell, a significant intervention backed by £64 million investment. It will design services for around 59,000 disabled people and deliver them through the NHS North West London ICB.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Jeff Smith Lab
Manchester Withington
Context
Recent statistics reveal that there are currently 4.3 million children living in relative poverty in the UK, with one million experiencing destitution. Manchester has the second highest levels of destitution.
There are 4.3 million children living in relative poverty and over a million in destitution across the UK, including 120,000 in Manchester. What does my Minister think about how the Government's economic policies have contributed to these figures?
Our economy is performing well, and inflation is down to 3.2%. Additional support through the household support fund, extended for six months, provides financial assistance. I would ask the hon. Gentleman to inquire with Greater Manchester on how £32.3 million was allocated.
Assessment & feedback
The economic impact on poverty rates is not addressed directly
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Suella Braverman Con
Fareham and Waterlooville
Context
A child growing up in poverty is more likely to have poorer literacy, numeracy, health outcomes, and a shorter life expectancy than the national average. The two-child benefit cap restricts additional benefits beyond the second child.
The two-child benefit cap affects children's long-term prospects negatively. Is it not right that scrapping this cap could be the most effective action to combat poverty?
Our system needs balance and fairness, both for taxpayers and those who need support. Many working families struggle with income growth when they have more children. We aim to make the system fair for all.
Assessment & feedback
The specific policy on scrapping the two-child cap is not addressed directly
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Andrew Gwynne Ind
Gorton and Denton
Context
The Chancellor has announced plans to abolish national insurance, which could cost £46 billion. National insurance contributions are crucial for calculating benefits such as maternity allowance, jobseeker's allowance, employment and support allowance, bereavement benefits, basic state pension, and the new state pension.
With the abolition of national insurance costing around £46 billion over time, what discussions has your Department had with the Treasury about funding these benefit calculations?
The Chancellor's aspiration to abolish national insurance is seen as scaremongering regarding state pensions and costings. The party previously increased pension rates but saw the highest pensioner poverty in Europe.
Assessment & feedback
Scaremongering Previous Government
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Context
The WorkWell initiative aims to improve integration of health advice for disabled individuals. Questions have been raised about the evidence base needed to support this government policy.
Thanks to scientific research, we understand better the biological causes of common mental health conditions. Given the recent announcement on WorkWell, how can those implementing it not only follow diagnostic pathways but improve the evidence base for treatment through solid science?
We are piloting these measures to ensure we get them right. I would be happy to consider my hon. Friend's suggestions further.
Assessment & feedback
Specific collaboration with departments for evidence not confirmed
Response accuracy
Q14 Direct Answer
Ruth Cadbury Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Context
Long waiting times for mental healthcare can delay return to work and prolong benefit dependency. This is especially relevant during Mental Health Awareness Week.
The Government talks about sick note culture, but long wait times for adequate mental healthcare are delaying people's return to work and keeping them on benefits longer. Do you agree?
We aim to improve the fit note approach by getting treatment earlier. My right hon. Friend, the Chancellor, has announced 400,000 additional talking therapies within the NHS for this purpose.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Context
South Cumbria is set to be a WorkWell pilot area, aiming to support local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and individuals seeking employment. The question refers to the ongoing efforts by the DWP's Team Barrow project in the region.
I thank Barrow jobcentre for their work through the Team Barrow project and am delighted about the WorkWell pilot area in south Cumbria. Could my right hon. Friend explain how this initiative will benefit local SMEs and individuals entering or returning to the jobs market?
WorkWell aims to intervene early in the health journey of individuals falling into long-term sickness or disability benefits, helping them retain their jobs or enter employment through collaboration between healthcare assistants and work coach assistants.
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify how it will benefit local SMEs and people entering the job market in south Cumbria
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Dave Doogan SNP
Angus and Perthshire Glens
Context
Four WASPI women have died since the debate began, highlighting the urgency of compensating these individuals affected by pension reforms. The Government previously acted swiftly in implementing changes that penalised these women.
Since we started this session over an hour ago, four WASPI women have passed away while discussing their pensions' challenges. The Government has shown prompt action in penalising them but will they demonstrate the same urgency to compensate?
All Government policies are properly costed, and their impact on taxpayers and the economy is considered. The report has been thoroughly reviewed, and we will reach conclusions as quickly as possible.
Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to compensation or eagerness for quick action
Response accuracy
Q17 Direct Answer
Context
The old Rehau building in Amlwch is being transformed into a space with business units and a new jobcentre for the north of Anglesey. The question calls for the Minister's visit to thank those involved.
I visited the former Rehau building in Amlwch, now repurposed with business units and a new jobcentre. Will the Minister join me in Amlwch to meet constituents and personally acknowledge the team working hard on this project?
Diolch yn fawr to the team in Ynys Môn! We have been searching for a building to add youth offers, and I would be delighted to visit with my hon. Friend in Ynys Môn and thank the team.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q18 Partial Answer
Jim Shannon DUP
Strangford
Context
The winters of 2022 and 2023 saw extreme poverty increases in Northern Ireland, prompting concerns about the government's response to these issues.
What discussions has the Minister had with the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the severe winter poverty surges experienced in 2022 and 2023?
The Northern Ireland Executive generally follows our decisions, but they have autonomy over most benefit arrangements. Officials closely coordinate to ensure Northern Irish needs are considered.
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific discussions about winter poverty surges
Response accuracy