Universal Credit Standard Allowance End of Uplift 2021-11-08
2021-11-08
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The £20 uplift to universal credit was a temporary measure, but claimants argue it is necessary for their survival.
What steps are being taken to support families affected by the end of the uplift to the standard allowance of universal credit? I have a constituent who has struggled since the pandemic and is now desperate due to the removal of the £20 uplift. Will the Minister commit to reintroducing the uplift?
The Government's focus is on helping people into work, particularly in the hospitality sector. There are 1 million vacancies and a comprehensive plan for jobs.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to reintroduce the uplift was not addressed
Changing Subject To Job Opportunities
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The £20 uplift was a temporary measure, but claimants argue it is necessary for their survival.
My constituent Simon Holroyd lost his mother to covid and is now struggling to find work in the hospitality industry. The removal of the £20 uplift has left him desperate. Will the Minister commit to reintroducing the uplift?
With 1 million vacancies and a comprehensive plan for jobs, our focus is on helping people into work. I hope there might be a vacancy for the hon. Member's constituent.
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Assessment & feedback
Commitment to reintroduce the uplift was not addressed
Changing Subject To Job Opportunities
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister and Secretary of State have been pushing for the reduction in the universal credit taper rate.
May I thank the Minister and especially the Secretary of State for really pushing for the cut to the universal credit taper rate that we saw in the Budget? It will make a real difference to families on low incomes. Does not this, along with more than 1 million job vacancies and measures to strengthen work incentives, represent the best opportunity in more than a generation to bear down on long-term unemployment?
Absolutely. I credit my right hon. Friend: he has been a champion of improving the taper rate over many years. Now is the time for us to take forward opportunities for people through the sector-based work academy programme and the restart programme.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific agreement on long-term unemployment reduction was not provided
Crediting Colleague
Talking About Programmes
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Unemployment support is now at the lowest level in real terms for more than 30 years.
Unemployment support is now at the lowest level in real terms for over 30 years, even though the economy has grown by more than 50%. Why is unemployment support set at this historically extremely low level?
It is important to have a safety net, but it is also very important to get people into work. With 1.1 million vacancies and a plan for jobs, that has to be our focus.
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Assessment & feedback
Explanation of low unemployment support level was not provided
Changing Subject To Job Opportunities
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The cost of living is causing pressures for worse-off families.
Does my hon. Friend agree that we must look at both money in and money out, particularly childcare and housing costs? Will he update the House on the work being done to address these issues?
We have already provided measures such as covering 85% of childcare costs with universal credit and increasing local housing allowance. Steps are being taken, but we need to focus further on childcare.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific update was not fully addressed
Mentioning Existing Measures
Response accuracy