Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Child Poverty

Monday 13 December 2021 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government increased work allowances and improved the taper rate to help reduce in-work poverty.
  • Government claims to have proper plans in place and highlights that 580,000 fewer children are in workless households compared to 2010.
  • Government emphasizes the importance of job creation and investment in local areas like Teesside to combat poverty.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Cunningham Lab
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The MP noted the high rate of working-age families with children receiving universal credit in Stockton, and concerns about Christmas food shortages. The previous government's £20 uplift to Universal Credit is highlighted as potentially beneficial.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to tackle child poverty? Every time I walk down the high street in Stockton, I see signs of poverty, with 51% of working-age families with children receiving universal credit, many in work. They are heading towards Christmas wondering how to put food on the table. Will the Government accept responsibility for child poverty and tell me what parents should say to their children on Christmas morning?

Answer from David Rutley

The hon. Member talks about in-work poverty. Important steps were put forward in the Budget to improve the taper rate and the work allowance, which will really help many of his constituents—in fact, the vast majority, about 3,966.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Responsibility for child poverty was not directly acknowledged or accepted. Specific Christmas impact was not addressed.

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Q2 Alex Cunningham Lab
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP welcomed the change to the taper rate for Universal Credit but asked for further support in work allowances.

Question

As we run into the new year, could my hon. Friend now persuade the Chancellor to look carefully at further helping out by putting more money into the work allowances for many of those who are trapped and unable to get into work?

Answer from David Rutley

Having served as my right hon. Friend's Parliamentary Private Secretary in the past, I know his passion for these issues. In the Budget, we set out that the work allowances were going to increase by £500, and that has made a big contribution. For those who are vulnerable, we have provided an extra £500 million of support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Further increasing work allowances was not directly addressed.

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Q3 Iain Duncan Smith Con Chingford and Woodford Green
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The MP criticized the UK Government for not developing a strategy to reduce child poverty, contrasting it with Scotland's efforts.

Question

Despite recommendations by the Work and Pensions Committee, the British Government have no intention of developing a strategy to reduce child poverty. This stands in stark contrast to the SNP Scottish Government, who are doubling their game-changing Scottish Child Payment to £20 a week, while this Government cut Universal Credit by £20 a week. Why are the UK Government refusing to introduce proper proposals to tackle child poverty as we have done in Scotland?

Answer from David Rutley

We do have proper plans in place, and we are working hard to help parents get into work. As the hon. Gentleman will know, 580,000 fewer children are in workless households than in 2010, so we are taking action.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific proposals to reduce child poverty were not detailed.

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Q4 David Linden SNP
Economy Employment
Context

The MP emphasized the best route out of poverty is work, highlighting the freeport programme which will produce 18,000 jobs over five years.

Question

The best route out of poverty is work, so does the Minister agree that it is important to get more people into work through our ambitious plan for jobs and through investment in Teesside such as our freeport programme, which will produce 18,000 jobs over the next five years?

Answer from David Rutley

Absolutely. It is pivotal that we get the plan for jobs working, along with local councils, local enterprise partnerships, hard-working Mayors and businesses. That is what we are seeing in Teesside.

Answered
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Q5 Jacob Young
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The MP highlighted the high rate of working-age families with children receiving Universal Credit in Stockton, and concerns about Christmas food shortages.

Question

Every time I walk down the high street in Stockton, I see signs of poverty, with 51% of working-age families with children receiving universal credit, many in work. They are heading towards Christmas wondering how to put food on the table. Will the Government accept responsibility for child poverty and tell me what parents should say to their children on Christmas morning?

Answer from David Rutley

The hon. Member talks about in-work poverty. Important steps were put forward in the Budget to improve the taper rate and the work allowance, which will really help many of his constituents—in fact, the vast majority, about 3,966.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific impact on Christmas was not addressed.

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