Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit Reductions

Monday 30 November 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Analysis by Her Majesty's Treasury shows that Government interventions have supported low-income families, with those in the bottom 10% of income distribution seeing no reduction.
  • The figures cited by Lilian Greenwood regarding child poverty and the increase in families claiming universal credit are not recognized.
  • The Chancellor has confirmed the universal credit uplift until March 2021.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Lilian Greenwood Lab Nottingham South
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The question arises from an analysis showing that child poverty in Nottingham South increased significantly, with a 68% rise in families claiming universal credit between January and August 2020.

Question

Whether she has made an assessment of the potential effect on (a) working age and (b) child poverty of reducing (i) universal credit and (ii) working tax credit by £20 a week in April 19, considering that there was a significant rise in families claiming benefits.

Answer from Will Quince

Analysis by Her Majesty's Treasury shows that Government interventions have supported low-income families, with those in the bottom 10% of income distribution seeing no reduction. The Government will continue to assess how best to support these families based on economic and health context.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific figures or commitments regarding child poverty and working age individuals not provided, only a general statement about government assessments

How: Under Review, Will Look At The Context

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Q2 Lilian Greenwood Lab Nottingham South
Economy Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The question arises from significant increases in child poverty and families claiming benefits, with the Chancellor acknowledging an ongoing economic emergency.

Question

In 2018-19, 34.8% of children in my constituency were living in poverty when housing costs are taken into account, and there was a 68% increase in families claiming universal credit from January to August this year. The Chancellor said the economic emergency has only just begun, with unemployment expected to rise for months to come. How can the Minister argue that universal credit should be cut?

Answer from Will Quince

The figures cited are not recognized, and the Chancellor has confirmed the universal credit uplift until March 2021. The Government will wait for clarity on the economic situation before assessing how to best support low-income families.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific concern about cutting universal credit amid rising poverty and unemployment

How: Do Not Recognise Figures, Will Wait For More Clarity

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