Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19 Temporary Measures

Monday 19 October 2020 · 3 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

  • Ministerial discussions with the Chancellor included suspending face-to-face assessments due to the pandemic.
  • The Government introduced temporary welfare measures worth 9.3 billion to address pandemic-induced financial challenges.
  • The Minister emphasized the Government's commitment to flexibility and support, including a 30 billion plan for jobs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Kirsten Oswald SNP
NHS
Context

Discussions on extending temporary measures introduced by the Department during the pandemic.

Question

What recent discussions she has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on extending the temporary measures introduced by her Department in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

Earlier this year, we suspended face-to-face assessments. That suspension is still in place and is kept under review in line with the latest public health guidance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions with the Chancellor and extension of measures were not addressed.

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Q2 Owen Thompson SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Statistics from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation showing 1.3 million people in Scotland losing out if universal credit is not made permanent, along with reports that one in three working-age families will be £1,000 a year worse off due to planned cuts.

Question

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation estimates that 1.3 million people across Scotland will lose out if the DWP does not make the £20 increase to universal credit permanent and extend it to legacy benefits. The Resolution Foundation also reports that one in three working-age families in the so-called red wall constituencies will be £1,000 a year worse off if the planned cuts to universal credit go ahead. How exactly is that levelling up?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

I refer the hon. Member the answer that the Minister for Welfare Delivery has already given. The Government have introduced a package of temporary welfare measures worth £9.3 billion this year to help with the financial consequences of the pandemic.

Not addressed: The specific impact on levelling up was not addressed; instead, general information about temporary welfare measures was provided.

How: Referencing Another Minister'S Response

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Q3 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

Millions facing unemployment, reduced hours or earnings, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation pointing out that cutting social security takes money out of the economy by reducing consumer spending.

Question

More than ever, with millions facing unemployment and reduced hours or earnings, our social security system must be properly funded. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has rightly pointed out that cutting social security takes money out of the economy by reducing consumer spending. If the Minister is not yet convinced that cutting universal credit is grossly unjust, will he at least consider making this permanent to stimulate the economy?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

As I have just set out, we as a Government, through our £9.3 billion-worth of temporary support, which we continue to keep under review, have shown throughout these unprecedented times that we will be flexible and provide the support, including our comprehensive £30 billion plan for jobs, to make sure that we are standing side by side with those who are navigating the challenges of covid.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Consideration of making Universal Credit cuts permanent was not addressed; instead, general information on temporary support and job plans were provided.

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