Topical Questions

Question

If she will make a statement on her departmental responsibilities. The Budget took steps towards driving up opportunity and reducing poverty across the country, including additional funding for plans to get Britain working, improvements to universal credit repayment rates, and measures to reduce fraud and error in benefits systems.

Question

My constituent Kevin had to stop work in 2018 due to a medical condition. He is desperate to find a job but consistently finds he is not eligible for support from his local jobcentre. Kevin asked me how someone who has fallen out of work can get back into work. Will the Secretary of State or a Minister meet me to discuss Kevin's case?

Question

On my recent visit to Hertford and Ware food bank, hard-working volunteers raised with me the damaging impact of rules introduced under the previous Conservative Government, which prevent jobcentres from referring benefits claimants to food banks. Does my right hon. Friend agree that those changes prevent some of the most vulnerable people in our communities from accessing support in an emergency?

Question

The Conservatives are the party of work and aspiration, and once again, we left office with unemployment at a historic low. We all know that Labour always leaves unemployment higher than when it came into office, but rarely has it seemed in such a hurry to achieve that. Its first Budget will, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility, cost the country 50,000 jobs in the next few years alone.

Question

I wonder if the Secretary of State did not hear my earlier question; I said that I was grateful that she is continuing the work that we did in government, through the WorkWell programme, to help people in ill health into work by joining up healthcare and employment. However, the point I was just making, to which she did not respond, was that 50,000 jobs will be lost as a result of Labour's Budget.

Question

As a proud member of the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, I want to raise with the Minister the amazing work that it has done to produce the estimate that around three quarters of workers in typically low-paid sectors are paid weekly, fortnightly or four-weekly, rather than monthly. That is not recognised by universal credit. Will the Minister promise to meet USDAW and other trade unions to make sure that this matter is investigated?

Question

I am sure all Members in this Chamber are aware of the Women Against State Pension Inequality campaign and the parliamentary ombudsman's findings. Will the Secretary of State commit to making a statement in the House before Christmas on progress with her review of the ombudsman's report?

Question

The work of unpaid carers is of huge value and is often heroic. A recent report by Carers UK revealed that 42% of those receiving carer's allowance are struggling financially. I was therefore really pleased by the significant increase in carer's allowance announced in the Budget. It is the largest increase in decades and will benefit many in my constituency.

Question

Research from the University of Bath indicates fluctuating income issues for Universal Credit recipients and highlights a High Court ruling in 2019 calling for smoother assessment periods. Can the Secretary of State provide an update on implementing this judgment?

Question

The government has announced a significant increase in the earnings threshold for Carer's Allowance. What plans does the Department have to communicate this important policy change effectively?

Question

Given the condemnation of the two-child limit and the 'rape clause' over eight years, will the government commit to scrapping these elements?

Question

What practical advice does the Minister have for a pensioner struggling because of the Government's cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance?

Question

Can the Minister meet me to discuss a veteran's case where their pension credit entitlement plummeted because of military compensation?

Question

How many current Department employees are unable to receive further sponsorship due to changes in the skilled worker visa salary threshold?

Question

According to the Department's written response, they are exploring feasibility of publishing benefits claimed by nationality. Can the Minister confirm that work is going ahead and provide a timeline?

Question

Can the Minister confirm a timeline for recovering the £35 billion lost due to fraud and error since the pandemic?

Question

Does the Secretary of State think it is fair and right for the DWP to start action on overpayments more than six years after they occurred?