Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Topical Questions

Monday 19 October 2020 · 15 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 12 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister confirmed the Government's commitment to tackling fuel poverty among pensioners through the warm home discount scheme and winter fuel payments.
  • The Government have schemes in place to support people's cost of living under new restrictions, including a 'a third, a third, a third' job support scheme.
  • The Secretary of State will consider the Work and Pensions Committee report's findings, particularly regarding renaming advances as 'new claim loans'.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Duncan Baker
Energy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The government announced a new job support scheme to protect jobs and businesses facing lower demand.

Question

I am pleased to see the announcement that almost 1 million pensioners in receipt of pension credit will receive £140 off their energy bills through the warm home discount scheme. My constituency has a very elderly demographic, so this is great news for many residents. Will you confirm that, alongside it, the Government will continue to make winter fuel payments to support our pensioners this winter?

Answer from Therese Coffey (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)

My hon. Friend is correct, and I praise him for raising this issue on behalf of those he represents. This Government are committed to tackling fuel poverty among pensioners, and will continue to deliver winter fuel payments this year. My Department has ensured that those on pension credit in his constituency receive the £140 from the warm home discount scheme.

Answered
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Q2 Duncan Baker
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The government has introduced new covid restrictions that may cause significant cuts to people's incomes.

Question

As the Government place millions of people under new restrictions, they will ask many individuals to accept reduced incomes. Last week, the Prime Minister stated that due to the job support scheme and universal credit, nobody would receive less than 93% of their current income. However, a person employed by a business ordered to close could still lose a third of their income for an unspecified period. How does the Secretary of State expect those people to manage with such reduced incomes?

Answer from Therese Coffey (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)

The Government have developed two different schemes recognizing that some businesses face loss in demand. One scheme is 'a third, a third, a third' supporting people's cost of living. Where sectors are closed, the two-thirds wage support is important. If people fall below certain thresholds, they may be eligible for universal credit to help top up their income.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide concrete financial details or commitments on how individuals will manage reduced incomes beyond referencing existing schemes and eligibility for universal credit.

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Q3 Jonathan Reynolds Labour (Co-op) Stalybridge and Hyde
Benefits & Welfare
Context

There are concerns about the planned April 2021 reduction in Universal Credit payments.

Question

It is clear that we will not be out of this crisis by next April, so will the Government do the right thing and scrap their plans to cut Universal Credit to a lower amount next April?

Answer from Therese Coffey (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)

The Government will continue to review the best ways to support people through the welfare system, as well as through the jobs plan and measures introduced by the Chancellor.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not directly address scrapping plans to reduce Universal Credit in April 2021.

How: Will Continue To Review

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Q4 Jonathan Reynolds Labour (Co-op) Stalybridge and Hyde
Education Employment
Context

There are forecasts showing up to 1 million young people may be without jobs.

Question

With forecasts predicting that there could be as many as 1 million young people without a job, I urge the Minister to think outside the box. Can we devise, with the Department for Education, a scheme to pay graduates and gap-year students to help pupils who have missed out on schooling to catch up?

Answer from Therese Coffey (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)

One element of the kickstart scheme, a £2 billion investment in young people's future, is designed to help those at risk of long-term unemployment get on the first rung of the ladder with proper jobs. It includes training and wraparound support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not address creating a scheme for graduates/gap-year students specifically as proposed, instead referencing an existing kickstart scheme.

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Q5 Tim Loughton Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The SNP has campaigned to end the universal credit five-week wait.

Question

We welcome today's Work and Pensions Committee report. Will the Secretary of State look favourably on the report's findings, particularly regarding renaming advances as 'new claim loans'?

Answer from Therese Coffey (Secretary of State for Work and Pensions)

I will look carefully at the report. Select Committee members know that I have explained previously that advances spread the payment of Universal Credit over a year or two years, if desired, and are not intended to introduce grants.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not fully address whether the government would accept the report's recommendations but indicated it will be reviewed.

How: Will Look Carefully At

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Q6 Owen Thompson SNP
Taxation
Context

Applications for the new self-isolation payment were expected last week but concerns remain about tax implications. Scotland's Cabinet Secretary wrote to the Chancellor urging an income tax exemption.

Question

Why has the government not exempted the new self-isolation payments from tax, considering there is already a similar exemption for test and trace support in England?

Answer from Therese Coffey

Tax matters are a matter for the Chancellor.

Not addressed: Exempting self-isolation payments from tax

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Q7 Kerry McCarthy Lab Bristol East
Housing
Context

Unscrupulous landlords are exploiting higher housing benefit rates in the sector, raising concerns about exploitation and a need for regulation.

Question

I am introducing a ten-minute rule Bill on regulating supported housing due to unscrupulous landlords. Have you had any discussions with MHCLG colleagues about regulating this sector?

Answer from Will Quince

The hon. Lady is absolutely right—this issue is a concern for me and has been for some time. I am working closely with my counterpart at MHCLG and would be delighted to meet the hon. Lady to discuss progress.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific regulatory steps or commitments

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Q8 Laura Farris
Employment
Context

The kickstart scheme provides six-month jobs but there is a concern about securing permanent employment after placements end.

Question

What steps are being taken to ensure that kickstarter placements lead to permanent employment with the placement employer or in the same sector?

Answer from Therese Coffey

My hon. Friend is right to point out that the kickstart placements are six-month-long jobs, but the skills that people will learn and the experience they will gain will put them in good stead to secure future employment.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Steps for permanent job opportunities

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Q9 Andrew Jones Con
Employment Business & Trade
Context

The Knaresborough Connectors and chamber of trade are working on a kickstart initiative for smaller businesses in the area.

Question

Will the Secretary of State encourage the Department to work with local organisations to ensure all areas, urban and rural, and small businesses can access the benefits of kickstart?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

My hon. Friend is always a champion of his local organisations and constituents. Yes, absolutely; many local authorities, charities and organisations, such as North Yorkshire County Council, have agreed to act as gateways or have submitted bids for funding.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific departmental encouragement

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Q10 Clive Efford Lab Eltham and Chislehurst
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Disabled individuals are struggling to replace lost carers during the pandemic, leading to missed deadlines on benefit applications.

Question

Will Ministers look into allowing people to indicate their high support needs when applying for benefits so that they do not miss application deadlines?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

The hon. Gentleman raises an important point. Our forthcoming Green Paper will look specifically at the importance of advocacy in the system, and at increasing it.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plan for high support needs indication

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Q11 Bob Neill Con
Children & Families
Context

Some constituents are receiving letters about the Child Maintenance Service writing off unpaid payments during a historical debt review.

Question

What is the basis for the review, criteria involved, number of cases affected, and how personal notice is being given to those impacted?

Answer from Therese Coffey

My understanding is that the policy relates to people who have had child maintenance arrangements for a very long time. There comes a point when there is an element of understanding the different debts.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Criteria and notification methods

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Q12 Matt Western Lab Warwick and Leamington
NHS Education
Context

Schools in the constituency have closed with short notice, leaving working parents without childcare support.

Question

What discussions have Ministers had with colleagues in Health and Education about extending the £500 self-isolation payment to those affected by school closures?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The £500 self-isolation payment administered by local councils was devised to achieve compliance with public health guidance. That is why the Department of Health and Social Care is leading on the matter.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific inter-ministerial discussions

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Q13 Selaine Saxby
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Jobcentre Plus team in Barnstaple is supporting an increased number of unemployed people in North Devon. The MP wishes to thank them for their efforts.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend join me in thanking the exceptional team at Jobcentre Plus in Barnstaple for their work to support the vastly increased number of people in North Devon looking for work at this time? I extend an invitation to her to come to my constituency to thank them at first hand.

Answer from Therese Coffey

My hon. Friend is right to praise hard-working DWP staff at her local Jobcentre Plus and across the network. The team in Barnstaple have worked with the National Careers Service to help with interview technique and build transferable skills among people who become unemployed, and great work is already under way at the North Devon youth support hub in Bideford and Barnstaple. I look forward to visiting the south-west.

Answered
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Q14 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Children & Families
Context

A constituent has been unable to collect £30,000 in arrears from a non-paying parent over the past decade.

Question

I wonder whether the Minister would be kind enough to meet me to discuss a constituent who has been unable to collect an unbelievable amount of arrears over the past decade, estimated at £30,000.

Answer from Therese Coffey

My noble Friend Baroness Stedman-Scott is the Minister responsible for the Child Maintenance Service. She is more than happy to meet colleagues who are having particular difficulties with paying parents who are refusing to cough up.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not confirm any specific actions or commitments to address the constituent's issue.

How: Discussed A General Willingness To Meet But No Concrete Plan

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Q15 Jeff Smith Lab Manchester Withington
Benefits & Welfare
Context

A constituent's assessment for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit was postponed due to covid, leading to additional costs.

Question

My constituent Joseph made a claim for industrial injuries disablement benefit in January. His assessment, along with all the other new assessments, was postponed because of covid, so he is living with the extra costs that come with having an industrial disease, but he does not have the extra benefits he needs. Can the Secretary of State please urgently resume IIDB assessments?

Answer from Justin Tomlinson

I am very much aware of this. As the hon. Gentleman will understand, we suspended face-to-face assessments across all disability benefits following the public health guidance. We are working as quickly as we can to roll out telephone assessments for IIDB where possible, and as soon as it is safe to do so, we will return to face-to-face assessments.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not commit to an urgent resumption of assessments or a specific timeline.

How: Discussed Ongoing Efforts But No Immediate Commitment

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