Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Removal of Universal Credit Uplift: Food Bank Usage

Monday 13 September 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

  • Neil Coyle asked the Department for steps to measure the potential effect of removing the 20 uplift to Universal Credit on food bank usage.
  • The Department does not have a role in operating food banks and there is no consistent measure of food bank usage at a constituency or national level.
  • The Minister expressed willingness to meet organizations working on the issue and highlighted the success of the vaccine roll-out and the current labor market conditions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Neil Coyle Lab Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Benefits & Welfare Environment
Context

Since 2010, there has been a significant increase in people relying on food banks. The removal of the £20 uplift to universal credit is expected to further exacerbate this issue.

Question

What steps her Department plans to take to measure the potential effect of the removal of the £20 uplift to the standard allowance of universal credit from 6 October 2021 on levels of food bank usage. Since 2010, there has been an explosion in the number of people unable to put food on the table. Conservatives admit this will result in another dramatic rise in food bank demand. The Trussell Trust predicts that 900,000 more people will need support. Will the Minister or the Secretary of State meet organisations working on this issue to ensure capacity to meet Government-driven demand?

Answer from Will Quince

Food banks are independent charitable organisations and the Department does not have any role in their operation. There is no consistent measure of food bank usage at a constituency or national level. Of course, I am always happy to meet the hon. Gentleman.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address how the Department plans to measure the impact on food bank usage

How: Food Banks Are Independent Charitable Organisations And The Department Does Not Have Any Role In Their Operation.

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Q2 Neil Coyle Lab Bermondsey and Old Southwark
Benefits & Welfare Environment
Context

Since 2010, there has been a significant increase in people relying on food banks. The removal of the £20 uplift to universal credit is expected to further exacerbate this issue.

Question

The hon. Member for Hertford and Stortford (Julie Marson) admitted that reducing universal credit by £20 a week would lead to another dramatic rise in food bank demand. The Trussell Trust predicts 900,000 more people will need support. Will the Minister or Secretary of State meet organisations working on this issue to ensure capacity?

Answer from Will Quince

Of course, I am always happy to meet the hon. Gentleman as I have always sought to do. The vaccine roll-out is a huge success, restrictions are lifted, and we have a record number of vacancies in our labour market. Universal credit provides a safety net but it is not designed to trap people on welfare.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific meeting request or impact assessment

How: The Vaccine Roll-Out Is A Huge Success, Restrictions Are Lifted, And We Have A Record Number Of Vacancies In Our Labour Market.

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