Covid-19 Employment Support 2020-10-14
2020-10-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of the pandemic on employment in Wales and seeks to understand discussions between government departments.
What recent discussions has he had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on support for people in Wales whose employment has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 outbreak?
I have frequent discussions with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. At least 510,000 people in Wales have been directly supported by measures so far put in place. However, the best possible support we can provide is to get behind the national effort and public health guidelines to ensure that we overcome this crisis sooner rather than later.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer mentions discussions but does not provide specific details about the content or outcomes of these discussions.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP points out that many workers in Wales will rely on social security due to high unemployment and asks whether the government agrees with updating certain benefits.
With the UK's unemployment rate at its highest level in three years, it is clear that many workers in Wales will need to rely on social security in order to get back on their feet. Does the Secretary of State agree that it is only fair to update legacy benefits such as jobseeker's allowance and employment and support allowance to match the increase in universal credit?
I thank the hon. Lady for her comments. Conversations I have had with the Department for Work and Pensions, and indeed the Chancellor, have touched on this very issue. This is why the arrangements on universal credit have been as flexible as they can be. The Department is making an effort to ensure that everybody is accounted for and that those who might fall into the gaps we referred to earlier are properly looked after.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer discusses efforts but does not directly commit to updating legacy benefits or provide specific details about matching increases in universal credit.
Response accuracy