Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Poverty

Monday 11 November 2024 · 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

  • Torcuil Crichton asked about steps to reduce poverty levels.
  • The Minister mentioned 240 million announced in the Budget to support better work.
  • The Minister confirmed reducing the maximum debt repayment from 25% to 15% of universal credit.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Torcuil Crichton Lab Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Economy Employment Children & Families
Context

The question arises from the longstanding issue of poverty in the UK, particularly affecting adults and children under Conservative rule for 14 years. The Labour party is seeking specific steps to tackle this.

Question

What steps she is taking to help reduce levels of poverty. After 14 years of Conservative Government, 8 million adults and 4.3 million children were left in poverty. Among other things, £240 million was recently announced in the Budget to support better work so that people can get the dignity of a good job and the security of a proper wage.

Answer from Alison McGovern

After 14 years of Conservative Government, 8 million adults and 4.3 million children were left in poverty. Among other things, £240 million was recently announced in the Budget to support better work so that people can get the dignity of a good job and the security of a proper wage. Details will soon be available, as the Secretary of State mentioned, in our “Get Britain Working” White Paper.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps or commitments beyond mentioning a budget allocation and upcoming white paper without concrete timelines or mechanisms

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Q2 Torcuil Crichton Lab Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The issue revolves around the recent announcement of reducing the maximum level of debt repayment from a household's universal credit from 25% to 15% each month, aiming to benefit Scottish families by an average of £420 a year. This measure involves local DWP centres such as in Stornoway.

Question

I thank the Minister for that answer and the assurance from the Dispatch Box that the maximum level of debt repayment from a household's universal credit is to be reduced from 25% to 15% each month. That is great news for Scottish families, who could benefit by an average of £420 a year. Much of that debt management is carried out at the DWP centre in Stornoway in my constituency, and some 65 of the 80 staff there are involved in responding to calls nationally.

Answer from Alison McGovern

My hon. Friend mentions the new fair repayment rate, which is another crucial part of the Budget and a downpayment on the action that we will take on poverty. I am fond of an invitation to Scotland, and I will happily accept that one.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific details about implementing the debt repayment reduction or visiting DWP centre in Stornoway beyond expressing willingness to visit.

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