Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Credit Migration: Child Poverty

Wednesday 4 November 2020 · 4 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UK Government provided unprecedented levels of support to families and employers throughout the COVID crisis.
  • Welfare is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, with no official statistical information yet available on its impact in the current year.
  • An additional 9 billion has been invested in strengthening the welfare system across the UK.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Northern Ireland Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The question addresses concerns over the impact of transitioning to universal credit on child poverty rates, particularly noting a lack of official assessment.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the effect of migration to universal credit on the level of child poverty in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Robin Walker

The UK Government have provided unprecedented levels of support to families and employers throughout the covid crisis. Welfare is a devolved matter in Northern Ireland, with no official statistical information yet available on its impact in the current year. However, the Northern Ireland Executive are committed to combating poverty via the anti-poverty and child poverty strategies.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific effect of migration to universal credit on child poverty levels was not directly assessed or evaluated.

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Q2 Bill Esterson Lab Sefton Central
Northern Ireland Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question stems from a significant increase in universal credit claims during the first lockdown and the resulting five-week wait for increased payments, which exacerbates family debt and child poverty.

Question

With an 80% increase in universal credit claims in Northern Ireland during the first lockdown, is it now time to end the five-week delay given the current second lockdown?

Answer from Robin Walker

Nobody has to wait five weeks for a payment under universal credit. Advances are available, allowing claimants faster access to their entitlement with up to 12 months to repay advances extended to 24 months from October 2021.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner sought an immediate end to the five-week delay, while the response offered details on existing mechanisms but did not commit to ending this timeframe.

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Q3 Rachel Hopkins Lab Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Northern Ireland Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question highlights the legacy of intergenerational trauma, high levels of disability, mental health issues, and low pay in Northern Ireland, suggesting that a £20 per week cut to universal credit will disproportionately affect this region.

Question

With unique challenges in Northern Ireland due to historical factors leading to higher rates of disability, mental health issues, and low pay, will the Minister urge colleagues to rule out planned cuts of £20 per week from universal credit?

Answer from Robin Walker

I recognise the factors mentioned; extra funding under NDNA recognised some unique Northern Ireland issues. The £20 increase in universal credit has been provided to support people through this difficult time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The planned cut of £20 per week was not explicitly ruled out, and there is no commitment against it.

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Q4 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The question focuses on the impact of child poverty due to the additional 100,000 children now eligible for free school meals in Northern Ireland post-covid. It also asks about assistance for households excluded from tax credits.

Question

Can the Minister outline the impact of child poverty on the additional 100,000 children now eligible for free school meals due to covid and further detail available assistance for those excluded from tax credits after the 2017 cut-off?

Answer from Robin Walker

The official figures suggest a decrease in child poverty since 2015, but extra support is provided. The Executive has received £2.4 billion so far, with an additional £9 billion invested in strengthening the welfare system across the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific impact of child poverty on those newly eligible for free school meals was not detailed, and no specifics were provided regarding assistance for households excluded from tax credits after 2017.

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