Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted the high rate of working-age families with children receiving universal credit in Stockton, and concerns about Christmas food shortages. The previous government's £20 uplift to Universal Credit is highlighted as potentially beneficial.
What steps her Department is taking to tackle child poverty? Every time I walk down the high street in Stockton, I see signs of poverty, with 51% of working-age families with children receiving universal credit, many in work. They are heading towards Christmas wondering how to put food on the table. Will the Government accept responsibility for child poverty and tell me what parents should say to their children on Christmas morning?
The hon. Member talks about in-work poverty. Important steps were put forward in the Budget to improve the taper rate and the work allowance, which will really help many of his constituents—in fact, the vast majority, about 3,966.
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Assessment & feedback
Responsibility for child poverty was not directly acknowledged or accepted. Specific Christmas impact was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP welcomed the change to the taper rate for Universal Credit but asked for further support in work allowances.
As we run into the new year, could my hon. Friend now persuade the Chancellor to look carefully at further helping out by putting more money into the work allowances for many of those who are trapped and unable to get into work?
Having served as my right hon. Friend's Parliamentary Private Secretary in the past, I know his passion for these issues. In the Budget, we set out that the work allowances were going to increase by £500, and that has made a big contribution. For those who are vulnerable, we have provided an extra £500 million of support.
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Assessment & feedback
Further increasing work allowances was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticized the UK Government for not developing a strategy to reduce child poverty, contrasting it with Scotland's efforts.
Despite recommendations by the Work and Pensions Committee, the British Government have no intention of developing a strategy to reduce child poverty. This stands in stark contrast to the SNP Scottish Government, who are doubling their game-changing Scottish Child Payment to £20 a week, while this Government cut Universal Credit by £20 a week. Why are the UK Government refusing to introduce proper proposals to tackle child poverty as we have done in Scotland?
We do have proper plans in place, and we are working hard to help parents get into work. As the hon. Gentleman will know, 580,000 fewer children are in workless households than in 2010, so we are taking action.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific proposals to reduce child poverty were not detailed.
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP emphasized the best route out of poverty is work, highlighting the freeport programme which will produce 18,000 jobs over five years.
The best route out of poverty is work, so does the Minister agree that it is important to get more people into work through our ambitious plan for jobs and through investment in Teesside such as our freeport programme, which will produce 18,000 jobs over the next five years?
Absolutely. It is pivotal that we get the plan for jobs working, along with local councils, local enterprise partnerships, hard-working Mayors and businesses. That is what we are seeing in Teesside.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted the high rate of working-age families with children receiving Universal Credit in Stockton, and concerns about Christmas food shortages.
Every time I walk down the high street in Stockton, I see signs of poverty, with 51% of working-age families with children receiving universal credit, many in work. They are heading towards Christmas wondering how to put food on the table. Will the Government accept responsibility for child poverty and tell me what parents should say to their children on Christmas morning?
The hon. Member talks about in-work poverty. Important steps were put forward in the Budget to improve the taper rate and the work allowance, which will really help many of his constituents—in fact, the vast majority, about 3,966.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific impact on Christmas was not addressed.
Response accuracy