Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Adequacy of Benefits

Monday 14 September 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government introduced a package of welfare measures worth more than 9.3 billion this year to assist with pandemic-related financial disruption.
  • The Government increased the universal credit standard allowance by up to 1,040 for a period of 12 months.
  • The 20 universal credit uplift was intended to last one year as part of the measures to address the financial consequences of covid-19.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stuart McDonald SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses concerns about the adequacy of benefits provided to those affected by financial disruptions due to the pandemic.

Question

What steps she is taking with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to ensure the adequacy of benefits for claimants. The Government introduced a package of welfare measures worth more than £9.3 billion this year, but concerns remain about the impact on food bank use and poverty levels.

Answer from Will Quince

The Government introduced a package of welfare measures worth more than £9.3 billion this year, to help those facing the most financial disruption during the pandemic. We introduced an increase in the universal credit standard allowance for 12 months, worth up to £1,040. Increased local housing allowance rates have put an average of £600 into people's pockets, and we made statutory sick pay available to employees from day one.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about steps being taken specifically with the Chancellor, but the answer focused on measures already implemented without addressing future actions or commitments with the Chancellor.

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Q2 Stuart McDonald SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses concerns about ending the £20 universal credit uplift, which could increase food bank use by 10% according to the Trussell Trust, and plunge 700,000 more people into poverty as warned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Question

I thank the Minister for his answer, but ending the £20 universal credit uplift could see food bank use increase by 10%, according to the Trussell Trust, and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has warned that 16 million people could lose £1,000 a year overnight, plunging 700,000 more people into poverty. Will the Government remove that cliff edge and make the £20 uplift to universal credit permanent?

Answer from Will Quince

The increase was introduced for an initial period of one year as part of the Government's measures to assist with the financial consequences of covid-19. It was part of a £9.3 billion increase to the welfare system that ensured that it was able to stand up and support the millions of extra people who needed it. Future decisions on benefit rates will be made at the appropriate fiscal event.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner asked about making the £20 uplift permanent, but the answer avoided addressing this specific commitment or timeline.

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