Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Credit: Predecessor Schemes

Monday 8 November 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Universal credit is described as a modern, tailored, and resilient benefit that replaces six outdated and complex benefits.
  • The Minister highlights the enthusiasm of work coaches in helping individuals find job opportunities.
  • Edward Leigh notes that despite reforms, record numbers of people remain on universal credit, with 60% not working.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from the need to assess the effectiveness and value of Universal Credit compared to previous benefits schemes.

Question

What assessment has been made of the utility and value of universal credit compared to predecessor schemes?

Answer from David Rutley

Universal credit is a modern, tailored, resilient benefit responding effectively to economic conditions. It replaces six outdated and complex benefits with one, helping to simplify the benefits system and providing a safety net in times of need and, of course, making work pay.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assessment requested is not addressed specifically; instead, it is described generally without concrete evaluation details.

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Q2 Edward Leigh Con Gainsborough
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses the Centre for Social Justice's original design of Universal Credit with a specific taper rate, and queries the current high numbers of people on Universal Credit despite job vacancies.

Question

When the Centre for Social Justice originally designed the universal credit system, it was with a 55p taper. This reform is long overdue and very welcome. The fact remains that there are still record numbers of people on universal credit, 60% of whom are not working at all. We have record job vacancies and a labour shortage. What more can we do? How can we get more people back into work?

Answer from David Rutley

The thing that has impressed me the most since taking on this ministerial responsibility is the sheer enthusiasm of our work coaches. I definitely recommend that my right hon. Friend's constituents speak to the work coaches to find out what opportunities are available to them, particularly through skills and through restart, to get involved in new sectors through the sector-based work academy programme. Huge opportunities are available for people, and they need to be explored.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask about additional measures is not directly answered; instead, it suggests exploring existing programmes without concrete steps.

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