Topical Questions

Question

I join the Secretary of State in congratulating the Minister on her elevation—it is not before time. This Conservative Government have an enviable record when it comes to employment, with 4 million more people in work since 2010. I was pleased to hear that one of the integrated care boards involved in the WorkWell scheme, which my right hon. Friend has just mentioned, will be Greater Manchester ICB, which means that my constituents will have access to integrated health and employment support from October.

Question

It is an unavoidable fact that the United Kingdom has one of the lowest pensions in the developed world, and pensioner poverty is a very real issue. I meet constituents who are pensioners reasonably frequently, and all the increases that the Government have provided for them have been lost through taxation. For example, Peter's private pension will be cut by £681 a year, while Mr and Mrs Clark's modest private pension has been slashed by nearly 50%. They did the right thing and put away a little extra for their retirement; will the Government now do the right thing and correct the position so that they can enjoy it?

Question

Given that it would not survive under Labour, just how vital is the work plan?

Question

A recent report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation revealed, shockingly, that 1 million children experienced destitution in the UK last year. Is it not the case that the Government have completely failed the most vulnerable children in our society?

Question

Let me begin by praising my local jobcentre in Bexleyheath for the tremendous work it is doing to get people into employment. I visited it on Friday and was very impressed. Our welfare system should always be there to protect the most vulnerable in our society, but new challenges are threatening its sustainability and preventing it from working as intended. I therefore welcome my right hon. Friend's plans to target the system better towards those who need it most, by controlling spiralling costs and ensuring that it is fair to the taxpayer.

Question

During the time for which the ombudsman's report has been ongoing, 270,000 WASPI women have already passed away. How many more 1950s-born women in Lancashire will die before the Government finally act on the report's recommendations?

Question

I commend the Secretary of State for his efforts to make work pay, but for many of those in work, a lot of the excellent support available in jobcentres is currently voluntary. Will my right hon. Friend look at what more he can do to encourage people in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire to upskill in order to take on more well-paid work, and to reduce dependency on benefits?

Question

On 14 September, I led a Backbench Business debate asking for government action on footballers with brain injuries. A commitment was made by the Minister and the DWP Minister Tom Pursglove to meet us to discuss this issue. However, despite follow-up letters from me on January 18th and March 13th, as well as a Westminster Hall debate on April 24th, no meeting has been held yet. Can we get that meeting with the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council?

Question

NHS North West London ICB has been chosen as a pilot area for the WorkWell programme which aims to provide integrated health advice for disabled individuals. Can my hon. Friend meet me to discuss how we can maximise the effectiveness of this programme in Uxbridge and South Ruislip?

Question

There are 4.3 million children living in relative poverty and over a million in destitution across the UK, including 120,000 in Manchester. What does my Minister think about how the Government's economic policies have contributed to these figures?

Question

The two-child benefit cap affects children's long-term prospects negatively. Is it not right that scrapping this cap could be the most effective action to combat poverty?

Question

With the abolition of national insurance costing around £46 billion over time, what discussions has your Department had with the Treasury about funding these benefit calculations?

Question

Thanks to scientific research, we understand better the biological causes of common mental health conditions. Given the recent announcement on WorkWell, how can those implementing it not only follow diagnostic pathways but improve the evidence base for treatment through solid science?

Question

The Government talks about sick note culture, but long wait times for adequate mental healthcare are delaying people's return to work and keeping them on benefits longer. Do you agree?

Question

I thank Barrow jobcentre for their work through the Team Barrow project and am delighted about the WorkWell pilot area in south Cumbria. Could my right hon. Friend explain how this initiative will benefit local SMEs and individuals entering or returning to the jobs market?

Question

Since we started this session over an hour ago, four WASPI women have passed away while discussing their pensions' challenges. The Government has shown prompt action in penalising them but will they demonstrate the same urgency to compensate?

Question

I visited the former Rehau building in Amlwch, now repurposed with business units and a new jobcentre. Will the Minister join me in Amlwch to meet constituents and personally acknowledge the team working hard on this project?

Question

What discussions has the Minister had with the Department for Communities and the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the severe winter poverty surges experienced in 2022 and 2023?