Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the government's decision to impose the benefit cap on families with children when the grace period ends, given the economic crisis affecting many constituents.
I thank the Minister for that answer, but at a time when all of us know constituents who are struggling through the crisis which has brought them such hardship through no fault of their own, are the Government really going to impose the benefit cap on tens of thousands of families with children when the so-called “grace period” comes to an end? Is that really true? If it is, can she tell me this: how is that fair?
The benefit cap provides fairness for hard-working tax-paying households as a clear incentive to move into a job where possible. Universal credit households are exempt from the cap if the household earnings are at least £604 a month. I reiterate to the House that the amount of individuals capped remains very low in comparison to the UC case load, at around 3%.
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Assessment & feedback
The fairness of imposing the benefit cap on families during a crisis was not addressed directly
Response accuracy