Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Benefits System: Work Incentives

Monday 19 June 2023 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Steps are being taken to ensure the benefits system incentivises work through mechanisms like the taper and increased work allowance.
  • Changes to universal credit announced in the Budget remove up-front payment difficulties and increase childcare support.
  • The Department of Health and Social Care has engaged on matters related to mental health and musculoskeletal issues, which underpin economic inactivity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Theresa Villiers Con
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question pertains to ensuring that current benefits regulations encourage people to return to the workforce.

Question

What steps he is taking to ensure that the benefits system incentivises work. Under universal credit, there should always be an incentive for individuals to seek employment through mechanisms like the taper and increased work allowance by £500 in November 2021.

Answer from Mel Stride

Under universal credit, there is an incentive for individuals to seek employment through mechanisms like the taper and increased work allowance by £500 in November 2021. The taper was reduced from 63% to 55%. These measures ensure that people are incentivised to enter or remain in employment.

Answered
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Q2 Theresa Villiers Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concern about the high cost of childcare during a period of rising prices and its impact on people's ability to work.

Question

Will the changes to universal credit announced in the Budget help people into work by giving them better up-front support with the cost of childcare? The question highlights the importance of removing up-front payment difficulties and increasing maximum amounts available for childcare through UC.

Answer from Mel Stride

The Budget introduced significant measures to help people into work, including changes to universal credit that remove up-front payment difficulties and increase the maximum amounts available for childcare by 47%. These adjustments aim to provide better financial support with the cost of childcare.

Answered
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Q3 Derek Twigg Lab Widnes and Halewood
NHS Employment
Context

The issue of long hospital waiting times preventing people from returning to work.

Question

What discussions has the Secretary of State had with the Health Secretary about helping people get back into work and dealing with very long waiting times? The question highlights that mental health and musculoskeletal issues underpin economic inactivity, and there is a need for combined healthcare solutions with employment support.

Answer from Mel Stride

The Department of Health and Social Care has engaged on matters such as mental health and musculoskeletal issues, which underpin economic inactivity. Pilots like Work Well aim to integrate health-based solutions with employment support for tens of thousands of people in the future.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific discussions had between the Secretary of State and Health Secretary are not detailed.

How: Discussed Important Points Without Specifying Conversations

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