Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Working Parents

Wednesday 24 March 2021 · 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

  • Patricia Gibson inquired about the impact of the covid-19 outbreak on working parents and the discussions held with Cabinet colleagues.
  • Gibson questioned the universal credit's young parent penalty and its effect on pushing single parents under 25 into poverty.
  • The Minister highlighted the government's support measures, including the 150 million flexible support fund for childcare access.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Patricia Gibson SNP
Employment Children & Families
Context

The MP is concerned about the effect of the pandemic on families, particularly those juggling work and childcare responsibilities.

Question

I am concerned that the pandemic has been hard on all families, especially those who have been juggling work and childcare. What discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the effect of the covid-19 outbreak on working parents?

Answer from Vicky Ford

We know that the pandemic has been hard on all families, especially those who have been juggling work and childcare. That is one of the reasons why schools have remained open to the children of key workers throughout this time, and why early years settings have remained open to all since last June. I meet regularly with colleagues across Government to discuss support for families.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific representations or concrete actions addressing the impact on working parents beyond general statements about school openings and regular meetings.

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Q2 Patricia Gibson SNP
Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

The MP is concerned that the Universal Credit system unfairly penalises single parents under 25 years old, pushing many into poverty and discriminating against them.

Question

Universal credit's young parent penalty denies single parents under 25 years old the same level of social security as those above that age, pushing those affected—90% of whom are women, and the majority of them in work—into poverty. What representations is the Minister making to her colleagues in the Department for Work and Pensions to fix this arbitrary inequality and discriminatory practice in the social security system and to abolish the young parent penalty?

Answer from Vicky Ford

This UK Government have put unprecedented amounts—billions—into support for jobs and incomes, including the £150 million flexible support fund, which helps women access childcare. The billions that the UK has put into supporting jobs, especially for those on low incomes, are yet another reminder of why the people of Scotland increasingly agree that they are better off as part of the UK.

Not addressed: The answer shifted to discuss general government support measures and benefits of being in the UK without addressing the specific issue of the young parent penalty.

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