Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Child Poverty: Covid-19

Monday 19 October 2020 · 3 questions

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

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Minister defended the two-child policy as fair, noting it treats benefit recipients similarly to others.
  • The Government provided significant support through schemes like job retention and self-employment income support.
  • The Minister mentioned strengthening welfare systems with an additional 9 billion injection for benefits this year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Context

The MP noted that child poverty rates have been increasing, particularly since the start of the pandemic. She highlighted concerns over existing policies before the crisis and cited opposition from various groups including faith communities, charities, and celebrity figures like Marcus Rashford.

Question

I am concerned about how the Government's response to the pandemic is exacerbating child poverty levels that were already a problem pre-COVID-19. With members of this House, faith communities, leading charities, and even Marcus Rashford campaigning against it, what will you do to end the two-child policy for universal credit once and for all?

Answer from Will Quince

The Minister defended the two-child policy as a measure of fairness, stating that it ensures those on benefits are treated similarly to others. He acknowledged Marcus Rashford's campaigning efforts but did not commit to changing the policy, instead mentioning the establishment of a taskforce and promising to consider its recommendations during the spending review.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to ending the two-child policy

How: We Welcome The Establishment Of The Taskforce

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Context

The MP highlighted that there has been a significant increase in child poverty rates across Birkenhead and the wider north-west, exacerbated by tier 3 restrictions. She questioned the effectiveness of the job support scheme and universal credit.

Question

Child poverty levels are rising in north-west England due to economic impacts from tier 3 restrictions. Despite claims that the job retention scheme and Universal Credit leave households with 90% income, many families receive far less. What assessment has your Department made of how these measures impact child poverty compared to a local furlough scheme?

Answer from Will Quince

The Minister stated that this Government has provided significant support through schemes like the job retention and self-employment income support, helping families cope with financial impacts from covid. Additional welfare system enhancements included an extra £9 billion injection to benefits for those in need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific impact assessment of tier 3 restrictions on child poverty

How: We Will Look Carefully At The Points Raised

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Context

The MP emphasised that child poverty rates have been increasing across the north-west before and after tier 3 lockdown measures. She questioned the effectiveness of universal credit and job retention schemes compared to a local furlough scheme.

Question

Child poverty is rising in the north-west, even before considering the economic impact of tier 3 restrictions. Despite claims that these measures protect household incomes, many families receive less than claimed percentages. How has your Department assessed the impact on child poverty and how does this compare to a local furlough scheme?

Answer from Will Quince

The Minister highlighted government support packages, including the job retention and self-employment income support schemes. He mentioned strengthening welfare systems with additional £9 billion this year and around £5 billion increase in benefit rates for 2020-21.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific impact assessment of tier 3 restrictions on child poverty

How: We Will Look Carefully At The Points Raised

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