Topical Questions 2022-06-06

2022-06-06

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Carolyn Harris Lab
Neath and Swansea East
Context
A project in Swansea helps struggling families at Christmas. Now, worried families are requesting help earlier as they face financial hardships. The MP wants to know what hope the Government can give these working but struggling families.
Everyone Deserves a Christmas is a Swansea project that supports struggling families to enjoy a few treats at Christmas. It starts taking referrals in November, but this year, worried families are already requesting hampers, because they are struggling to pay their bills and feed their kids now. What hope can the Government give to struggling yet working families that they will be able to provide for their children's needs as the cost of living crisis deepens?
The statistics show that fewer than 3% of people with both parents working full time are in poverty. The Government aims to help through jobcentres and will deploy extra cost of living payments, which include pension credit day actions on June 15.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was partially addressed by mentioning support measures but without providing concrete details or commitments for the current situation facing families.
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Laura Trott Con
Sevenoaks
Context
Parents in Sevenoaks and Swanley face rising childcare costs. The MP is seeking clarification on what the Government is doing to simplify the support system so that people are clear about their entitlements.
Parents across Sevenoaks and Swanley are facing rising childcare costs. I know that there is a huge amount of support available, so can the Secretary of State update the House on what she is doing to simplify the system so that it is clearer to people what they are entitled to and easier for people to claim?
The Department is promoting the universal credit childcare costs offer through a national advertising campaign, using the “Childcare Choices” website and new guidance for work coaches.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Context
The Secretary of State is praised for her work during the jubilee weekend. She also shared a sung prayer on Twitter. The MP raises concerns about those in poverty despite being employed and questions why support for economically inactive people finding jobs has not been effective.
I join the Secretary of State in congratulating all those who worked over the weekend, and in saying that it was a fabulous platinum jubilee weekend. May I congratulate her on her sung prayer that she shared on Twitter yesterday, which shows that it is not just at karaoke where her singing excels? Work should be the best defence from the rising cost of living, yet millions in work are in poverty. The numbers in overall employment are down by 500,000 since before the pandemic, and there are 3 million people on out-of-work benefits not looking for work. Sheffield Hallam University estimates that about 800,000 of those people on out-of-work benefits could be helped back into work with the right support and a plan. The Secretary of State promised to help the economically inactive find work. Why is she failing?
The priority is those currently on benefits and receiving financial support, but there are efforts across Government with employers to ensure that the economically inactive come back into the workplace.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was partially addressed by acknowledging priorities and efforts but without providing concrete details or commitments for supporting the economically inactive.
Response accuracy
Q4 Partial Answer
Context
The number of people on out-of-work benefits has increased by 1 million since the pandemic. There is a high level of worklessness due to ill health and increasing numbers of over-50s leaving the labour market. With 1.3 million job vacancies, there is a need for a plan to increase the supply of workers.
The number on out-of-work benefits has increased by 1 million since the pandemic. We have the highest level of worklessness due to ill health for 20 years. Increasing numbers of over-50s are leaving the labour market who might stay in it if there was flexible work. More parents are leaving the labour market because they cannot afford childcare. And this is at a time of 1.3 million vacancies. We need to increase the supply of workers to get inflation down, so why does the Secretary of State not have a plan to deliver that?
There is an ongoing activity on childcare support across Government. More people are currently on payroll than before the pandemic, but challenges remain for self-employed individuals and those who leave the labour market due to ill health.
Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was partially addressed by acknowledging ongoing activities but without providing concrete details or commitments regarding a plan to increase workforce supply.
Response accuracy
Q5 Direct Answer
Context
The MP congratulates the Minister on his campaign for increasing pension credit uptake. Over 2,000 people in the constituency are claiming pension credit.
I congratulate the Minister on his campaign to increase the uptake of pension credit, which is a vital way of ensuring that our most vulnerable pensioner households get everything they are entitled to. Although more than 2,000 people in my constituency are already claiming pension credit, following recent announcements on cost of living support, where does my hon. Friend suggest that people look to check whether they are getting everything they are entitled to?
The Government site gov.uk and phone number 0800 99 1234 should be used. The Minister met pensioner charities and local authorities that can help identify specific individuals for pension credit applications. A pension credit awareness day is scheduled for June 15.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Kirsty Blackman SNP
Aberdeen North
Context
The Glasgow University and Glasgow Centre for Population Health report found that austerity is a significant causal contributor to the stalled mortality trends in Scotland and across the UK.
People are dying younger due to UK Government austerity. A new report from Glasgow University and the Glasgow Centre for Population Health has found that austerity highly likely contributes to stalled mortality trends. Will the Secretary of State acknowledge this tragic human cost and urge a change in course?
I do not recognise the situation mentioned. We are working on reducing health inequality through levelling-up initiatives and encourage collaboration with public health authorities.
Assessment & feedback
Acknowledged issue without specifics or commitment to change course
Response accuracy
Q7 Partial Answer
Claire Coutinho Con
East Surrey
Context
The Ofgem forecast predicts an average increase in energy bills of £1,200 this year. The government's cost of living package is meant to support those on means-tested benefits.
My constituents are worried about their energy bills increasing by around £1,200 this year. Will the Minister confirm that our cost of living package will provide £1,200 support for anyone on means-tested benefits?
The Chancellor and Cabinet reviewed cost pressures and assembled a support package including payment mechanisms. The impact is clear as outlined by the hon. Member.
Assessment & feedback
Discussed package without confirming specific financial amounts for constituents
Response accuracy
Q8 Partial Answer
Ruth Cadbury Lab
Brentford and Isleworth
Context
A constituent, a paramedic who struggled during the pandemic, feels cheated by recent tax increases. The NHS levy was introduced to support healthcare services.
My constituent, a paramedic facing cost-of-living pressures and feeling cheated out of a good quality life despite hard work, believes that raising taxes for working people this year is not fair. Does the Minister still think it was a wise decision?
The NHS levy supports tackling backlogs and adult social care. The national insurance threshold will rise, cutting taxes for 70% of working households next month.
Assessment & feedback
Discussed levy benefits without addressing constituent's perspective on tax increases
Response accuracy
Q9 Partial Answer
David Davis Con
Goole and Pocklington
Context
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimated that the withdrawal of the £20 universal credit uplift would put half a million people into poverty. The Citizens Advice has estimated this caused 2.3 million people to fall into debt.
Government receipts are high and cost-of-living support is announced, but those on means-tested benefits receive between £1,000-£1,200 less due to the withdrawal of the universal credit uplift. Will the Minister review the £20 reduction by autumn?
The £20 uplift was a temporary measure during coronavirus. The latest package totals £37 billion, providing support to address specific needs and encourage employment.
Assessment & feedback
Discussed alternatives without addressing the specific ask about returning the uplift
Response accuracy
Q10 Partial Answer
Ian Byrne Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Context
The abandonment of the triple lock and real-terms cuts to state pensions mean that bills are rising, food costs are spiralling, and many pensioners are at risk of falling into poverty.
Almost a fifth of pensioners live in poverty under this government. With measures announced by the Chancellor failing to address these issues, will the Minister acknowledge that many pensioners will be plunged into poverty over coming months?
The Chancellor has announced a £37 billion package including a £650 uplift in pension credit from July, a £300 winter fuel payment increase, and other support schemes.
Assessment & feedback
Discussed measures without acknowledging their insufficiency for preventing poverty
Response accuracy
Q11 Partial Answer
Context
The questioner is presenting a disability charter to Harlow Council, including measures such as enforcing parking restrictions for disabled bays and using CCTV.
What are the Minister's actions to ensure appropriate fines or penalties when non-disabled individuals park in designated spaces?
Local councils have enforcement responsibility. Parking without a valid badge is defined as a higher-level contravention under regulations.
Assessment & feedback
Discussed local council responsibilities without specific commitment to action
Response accuracy
Q12 Partial Answer
Mohammad Yasin Lab
Bedford
Context
Over three-quarters of a million pensioner households are missing out on crucial help through the pension credit. Many of these are in Bedford and Kempston.
I welcome the DWP's campaign to encourage the take-up of pension credit with its awareness day on 15 June, but given that more than three quarters of a million pensioner households—including the most vulnerable in Bedford and Kempston—are missing out on that crucial help, what plans does the Minister have to improve benefit take-up in the longer term?
We met a whole host of organisations, from Citizens Advice to Age UK, BBC and ITV as well as utilities, banks and local authorities, all of whom will try to assist with the process over and above what the Government are already doing. But, much as I said to my hon. Friend the Member for South Basildon and East Thurrock (Stephen Metcalfe), there is a role for Bedfordshire county council to play, which I believe is the hon. Member's local authority—[Interruption.]. Well, his local authority can play a role in identifying and supporting people from the local area and getting them to claim.
Assessment & feedback
Specific plans for improving pension credit benefit take-up were not detailed
Local Authority Can Play A Role
Response accuracy
Q13 Partial Answer
Chris Bryant Lab
Rhondda and Ogmore
Context
There are many worker vacancies across various sectors, including fruit picking, baggage handling at airports, airline industry roles, and bar/restaurant staff.
Fruit is going unpicked, there are long delays at airports because there are not enough baggage-handlers, flights are being cancelled because there are not enough people to work in the airline industry and lots of bars and restaurants cannot open at all because they simply have not got enough staff. Where will we find the additional workers to ensure that the economy grows?
We are working with a number of employers in a number of ways to try to help them fill their vacancies. We learnt a lot from the kickstart scheme, such as bringing employers into jobcentres to undertake interviews. We are also working with employers on the descriptions they put into job requirements and what is really needed to fill a job.
Assessment & feedback
Specific sources of additional workers were not identified
Working With Employers In Various Ways
Response accuracy
Q14 Partial Answer
Stephen Flynn SNP
Aberdeen South
Context
In Scotland, some 15,000 people were sanctioned by the Secretary of State in the last year.
In Scotland, in the last year alone some 15,000 people were sanctioned by the Secretary of State. Given that she is such a stickler for rules, surely she will show the same resolve this evening and place a sanction on her party leader.
Mr Speaker, I was going to say that when we share taxpayers' money with people looking for work, it is important that they honour their side of the bargain. When they do not, there often have to be consequences. That is not something that we seek to do—we try to work with people—but it is really important that people do their bit of the bargain when they look for work.
Assessment & feedback
Placing sanctions on party leader was avoided
Honouring Side Of Bargain
Response accuracy
Q15 Partial Answer
Helen Morgan Lib Dem
North Shropshire
Context
Many constituents have been overpaid in error by the DWP or are struggling to receive their first payment due to administrative difficulties.
I am troubled by the number of constituents who have recently come to me because either they have been overpaid in error by the DWP or they are struggling to receive their first payment because of administrative difficulties, when they are already really struggling. What steps is the Department taking to ensure that errors and disputes can be resolved satisfactorily and in a timely way so that those repayments will not push them over the edge and into poverty?
If the hon. Lady writes to the Department, whether to me or to the Secretary of State direct, we will look into those specific examples, ensure that they are addressed and get a decent answer to her on the specific problems. However, I cannot give a generic answer today.
Assessment & feedback
Specific steps were not detailed
Writing To The Department For Answers
Response accuracy
Q16 Partial Answer
Context
Each month some 4,300 households in Margaret Ferrier's constituency are receiving an average of £57 less than they are entitled to due to automatic universal credit deductions.
According to the Child Poverty Action Group, each month some 4,300 households in my constituency are receiving an average of £57 less than they are entitled to because of automatic deductions from their universal credit, and that affects about 3,700 children. What action is the Department taking to reform the deduction system so that innocent children are not disadvantaged?
As I said earlier, we put forward policies that have reduced deductions from 40% to 30% and now to 25%. Those policies and the support available for families are designed to help tackle child poverty, along with enabling people to get into work and to progress in employment.
Assessment & feedback
Reforming deduction system was not detailed
Reducing Deductions
Response accuracy
Q17 Partial Answer
Stephen Timms Lab
East Ham
Context
The household support fund now accounts for billions in public spending.
The household support fund now accounts for billions in public spending. What information is the Department collecting about how that fund is being used, who is benefiting from it, what their circumstances are and how much support they receive? What plans does the Department have to publish that information?
We issue funding based on grant conditions. We undertake a very light-touch approach with councils to make sure that they satisfy those conditions. We do not collect extensive information, but it is important that we allow councils to get on. They are close to the community, so they are well placed to make sure that that discretionary funding can go to the right people.
Assessment & feedback
Collected information details were not provided
Light-Touch Approach Allow Councils To Get On
Response accuracy