Topical Questions

Answer from Mel Stride

I thank my hon. Friend for his question. I very much welcome the Court of Appeal's decision in July, meaning that the national disability strategy is lawful. The Government are now able to continue with the important work of implementing that long-term strategy, and I can confirm that my hon. Friend the Minister for Disabled People will shortly come forward with further details of some of the individual commitments we will be making around that strategy.

Answer from Mel Stride

To the extent that the hon. Lady was suggesting that economic inactivity was worse in our country than in all other economies, or all similar economies—that simply is not the case. It is true that economic inactivity spiked during the pandemic; none the less, as I said earlier, the average rate is lower than the average across the OECD, the EU and the G7. The hon. Lady mentioned those who are long-term sick and disabled. That is why we are bringing forward pilots such as WorkWell and rolling out universal support, to make sure we bring the world of work together with the world of health, to the betterment of those who we look after.

Answer from Mel Stride

There is a proper plan in place. I invite the hon. Lady to spend some time looking more closely at the announcements that have been made, particularly at the time of the last fiscal statement, and especially those about WorkWell, universal support, and the work we are doing with the national health service and other agencies to make sure—as I say—that we bring together the world of work and the world of health and provide support, particularly for those with mental health conditions.

Answer from Mims Davies

The HSE's focus has been on raising awareness of RAAC—reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete—through its engagement and stakeholder groups via the public sector, and this was actually raised in a bulletin back in April 2021. I will look into the point my hon. Friend has made, but I am certain there has been clear guidance to those who need it.

Answer from Laura Trott

The hon. Lady asked about this last time, and I believe I informed her previously that all alive people will be receiving the benefits they are entitled to by the end of this year.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We have made available a diversity of assessment channels to people, but the key point is that anybody who wants to have a face-to-face appointment is able to have one. They can request one and that will be facilitated, and I think that is important. Jobcentres will be at the leading edge of delivering on our new supported employment programme—universal support—and we have WorkWell coming on stream as well. We do not want to write anybody off. Where people want to work or to try to work, we should be supporting that wherever we can, and that is precisely what we are all about.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

I would want to see the details of this case before commenting. The Government is focused on reforming the system through White Paper reforms to prevent people with conditions unlikely to improve from having to go through repeat assessments.

Answer from Guy Opperman

There are no plans to change universal credit assessment and payment structure, but the official is happy to sit down with John Penrose to discuss his proposals.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

People should be able to have face-to-face assessments if they wish, but providers also offer telephone or virtual assessments when appropriate. I ask Davies-Jones to share the case details.

Answer from Laura Trott

The triple lock was a Conservative pledge, and benefits decisions are made annually by the Secretary of State.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

The UK followed UN procedures, will engage in March 2024, and has enacted laws like the Equality Act 2010.

Answer from Guy Opperman

Visited Bracknell to meet Sunderland, and is happy to sit down with local jobcentres to address vacancy issues.

Answer from Tom Pursglove

Appreciate CAB's work but refer back to earlier points about steps being taken.

Answer from Guy Opperman

Pay credit to Mrs Ward and Aaron Bell, noting the Stoke Sentinel report on this issue.

Answer from Mel Stride

We of course look at particularly targeting harder-hit pensioners through pension credit, and the Pensions Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Sevenoaks (Laura Trott), has done a huge amount to promote that. But we are always open to receiving further ideas and having discussions, and if the hon. Gentleman would like to come forward with further ideas, we will certainly look at them.

Answer from Mims Davies

I thank the hon. Lady for making those points. Child maintenance payments keep about 160,000 children out of poverty each year and are absolutely vital. They play a key role in ensuring both parents play their part in supporting their children whether or not they live with them. If the hon. Lady has particular cases or interests, I am happy to meet her.

Answer from Laura Trott

Obviously this is without looking at the individual case, but it is important to note that the threshold has gone up significantly, so it is worth questioning whether the hon. Lady's constituents are now eligible. If not, applications to the household support fund can be helpful, and local councils may be able to offer housing benefit support. If there is an individual case that she would like to write to me about, I am happy to respond.