Social Security Recipients Employment and Earnings 2023-04-24
2023-04-24
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Concern about constituents facing rising food prices, household bills, and rent while experiencing real-terms pay decline.
I am concerned that my constituents in Vauxhall are seeing food prices increase by nearly 20%, their household bills skyrocketing, and rents going up by up to 16.5%. This is happening while real-terms pay has been falling for 18 months. How does the Minister propose to give workers in Vauxhall, and those on benefits, a real pay rise?
A whole host of things are being done on in-work progression. Vacancies have fallen for nine successive quarters, employment is up, the claimant count is down, economic inactivity has fallen, and disability employment is up.
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Assessment & feedback
The question specifically asked about providing a real pay rise, but the answer focused on general employment trends without addressing the specific ask for a pay increase.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Discussion on enhancing universal credit to boost earnings through better contracts.
I strongly support the efforts my hon. Friend is making to boost in-work progression. The original vision behind universal credit was to see more people on benefits earning more and increasing their income over time. Does he agree that one key to success, alongside tailored training, is better contracts? Research shows claimants on permanent contracts do significantly better with in-work progression than those on zero-hours or temporary contracts.
My right hon. Friend makes a number of very good points. The Department is providing an in-work progression offer, assisting people to progress to greater hours and full-time work. We support training through sector-based work academies or skills bootcamps.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer acknowledges the importance of permanent contracts but does not explicitly commit to implementing better employment contracts for in-work progression.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Recent research indicates that sanctions negatively impact claimant earnings. Question seeks to address future policy.
The Department's recently published research shows that sanctions have a negative impact on claimant earnings, including those related to in-work conditionality. How will the Minister take account of these findings in setting future sanctions policy?
We want to encourage claimants to comply with reasonable requirements, which are set and agreed with their work coach in the claimant commitment. I see no change to that.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address how recent research findings will influence future sanctions policy specifically.
Response accuracy