Topical Questions 2020-09-14
2020-09-14
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted that Scotland was already struggling with higher unemployment rates compared to other parts of the UK before the pandemic. He mentioned concerns about young people being disproportionately affected by economic fallout from COVID-19.
I thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. What steps is the Department taking to ensure that young people in Scotland are not disproportionately affected by the economic fall-out from covid-19, given that we were suffering from a higher rate of unemployment when the pandemic hit?
My hon. Friend is right to point out that Scotland was already starting to struggle with unemployment rates compared with other parts of the United Kingdom, but I want to assure him that we will not only work with kickstart, but ensure that we have a Scotland-specific job entry: targeted support—JETS—programme so that we can tackle people who perhaps need either support to pivot into different sectors, or intense support which recognises that they may have been unemployed for some time. We will ensure that the people of Scotland get the full support of the UK Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify any concrete steps beyond mentioning existing programmes without details on their impact in Scotland
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted that some families of NHS key workers lost their loved ones to COVID-19 after contracting the virus while serving on the frontline. He questioned why low-paid relatives who receive compensation payments are stripped of their benefits, unlike in other comparable schemes such as Grenfell and Windrush.
It is a tragic consequence of the pandemic that some families of NHS key workers have lost their loved ones to covid-19 after they contracted the virus while serving on the frontline. It is absolutely right that they receive compensation for that. May I ask the Secretary of State to justify the news that low-paid relatives who receive the compensation payment are to be stripped of their benefits? That is not the case with comparable payments such as the Grenfell and Windrush compensation schemes, so why are NHS families being treated in that way?
The hon. Gentleman will know that when people have a substantial amount of money—and I recognise the route he indicated on how they have received that—it usually takes them over the £16,000 threshold for support through the welfare system. He specifically referred to some other programmes, where it is absolutely acknowledged that there has been a complete failure within Government in that regard. I suggest to the hon. Gentleman that that is not the case regarding the NHS, but I am sure, as the NHS is a separate employer from the Government, it will continue to work with its employees and the relatives of people who have sadly died.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address why NHS families are stripped of benefits compared to other schemes
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raised concerns about rising food bank demand due to economic impacts of the pandemic, highlighting that the government believes universal credit has not collapsed like test and trace but noting that this does not support people adequately. He cited statistics from a large food bank network warning UK destitution rates will double by Christmas.
I find that answer lacking in reason and compassion. There was news this morning that the country's largest food bank network has warned that UK destitution rates are set to double by Christmas. We know that the Government believe they deserve praise for the fact that universal credit has not collapsed like the test and trace system, but the real test of a social security system is whether it gives people the support they need. The food bank statistics prove that this is just not happening at the moment. Clearly that will get worse as the furlough scheme ends. We have set out our further suggestions on how to prevent the looming disaster. What are the Government's plans to prevent it?
We have set out the unprecedented steps we took to ensure that vulnerable people would not go hungry as a result of the pandemic, focusing especially on children. While schools were closed to most children, free school meal vouchers were still in operation if schools could not provide a meal. Further support was given through the summer food fund, money was provided to food charities to help get food to people who were struggling, and 4.5 million food boxes were given to vulnerable people who were shielding. Together with the extra £9.3 billion in welfare support that has been given to households across the country, we believe that this is a strong way to have supported people in these difficult times.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific measures for after furlough scheme ends beyond mentioning past actions without future plans
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP noted concerns from constituents about the Child Maintenance Service's ability to recover and help those with arrears after supporting universal credit efforts during the pandemic.
I have been contacted by several of my North Devon constituents about the Child Maintenance Service. It is understandable that the CMS team has helped the fantastic DWP efforts on universal credit during the pandemic. However, will the Minister assure me that staff are now back at the CMS chasing arrears, arranging payments and helping my constituents?
First, no one will get away with giving false information. Those who are found to have been abusing the system are subject to the full extent of our enforcement powers. The Child Maintenance Service will pursue those people where appropriate. Parents were asked to report any changes via the self-service portal to ensure that receiving parents did not lose out in the long run. Cases will be updated and people will be notified of any changes. Where payments have been missed, the service will take action to re-establish compliance and collect any unpaid amounts that have accrued.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm if staff are fully operational for CMS cases post-pandemic beyond mentioning enforcement actions
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP cited recent findings from the National Audit Office that an association has been established between universal credit roll-out and rising food bank demand. He questioned why no causation analysis is being conducted.
The National Audit Office told the Work and Pensions Committee two weeks ago that the “sophisticated” analysis of the Trussell Trust has established an association between universal credit roll-out on the one hand and rising food bank demand on the other. Association is not the same as causation, so what plans do the Government have to commission research, as the National Audit Office recommends, into the impact of universal credit on food bank demand?
I thank the Chairman of the Select Committee for his question. As he knows, I gave evidence to the Committee recently on this very matter. I have worked closely with food bank providers—the Trussell Trust and others—over the course of the pandemic to ensure that our support has got to those who need it quickly. We continue to better understand the reasons for food insecurity. That is why we have put additional questions in the family resources survey. We keep all policies under review, and of course we listen to the findings of reports such as that of the Trussell Trust.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm specific plans for research on causal relationship between Universal Credit roll-out and food bank demand beyond mentioning ongoing work and reviews
Response accuracy
Q6
Direct Answer
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Context
The impact of the pandemic has led to an increased reliance on digital services for job searching.
The impact of covid is felt unevenly across different roles and sectors. With more being done online, digital access has never been more important. What measures is the Department taking to help people facing the greatest barriers to employment access job search and other online services to help them find jobs?
My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We are investing £10 million of European social fund support to get 20,000 disadvantaged people across England who are without access to the internet online. People who receive ESF support will be loaned devices, such as a tablet or a laptop, and be provided with three months' data allowance. That will enable them to access the increasing range of online services to support their job search and, importantly, their journey towards securing employment.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
In the north-east, there are high numbers of people claiming benefits due to the pandemic. The questioner is concerned about the lack of support as the current schemes wind down.
In the north-east we have seen the devastating impact of mass unemployment, but that was in the '80s when we had properly funded public services and a welfare system that did not seek to punish claimants. In Newcastle, we have 7,000 claimants, 13,000 people on furlough and a further 3,000 self-employment claims. What estimate has the Minister made of the number of claims there will be when support for those people ends next months, and how will she protect them from the devastating consequences of unemployment?
First, let us remind ourselves of where we were in January. We entered the pandemic with employment at a record high of 33 million. It is on my list to visit: we will be up there to see what the local jobcentre is doing. We have an ambitious plan for jobs—£30 billion in the next phase of our recovery—to ensure we build back better, greener and stronger. Extending the furlough scheme will just keep people in suspended animation. I am absolutely determined to use my role to get back to where we were in January.
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Assessment & feedback
The number of claims was not estimated, and specific measures to protect against unemployment impacts were not provided.
Under Review
Too Early To Say
Response accuracy
Q8
Direct Answer
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Context
The questioner is concerned about the impact of the pandemic on airline and airport staff in Wycombe, and seeks specific measures to assist them in finding new jobs.
Ministers will know I am particularly concerned about airline and airport staff in Wycombe, so will they tell me what they are doing right across Government to ensure that people who sadly lose their jobs through the coronavirus pandemic are helped into work as quickly as possible?
I could not be more excited about what we are doing near my hon. Friend's constituency, which is a key local example of cross-Government and local partnership. We have an innovative and unique scheme, with the DWP, the Department for Transport and the Department for Education. Where people are being made redundant from the aviation industry or its supply chain, they will be able to pivot across to the film industry, bringing their skills to a growing and booming industry. That will be facilitated by our flexible support fund grant and involves key local partners, including Pinewood Studios, ScreenSkills, and the excellent Buckinghamshire local enterprise partnership and the M3 enterprise LEP.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The furlough scheme is due to end, and the questioner is concerned about people falling into destitution without adequate government support.
As the chief executive of the Trussell Trust says in its latest report, we are in the eye of a storm and the decisions the Government make now will either offer people a lifeline, saving them from destitution, or cast them adrift. If the Secretary of State still believes that work is the best way to end poverty, why does she not urge the Chancellor to rethink the impending cliff-edge of the furlough scheme coming to an end and keep more people not in suspended animation but in their jobs?
We have had unprecedented Government intervention since we headed into the coronavirus crisis. Last week, I met G20 Ministers looking to learn from what we have done in the UK and, above all, learn about our next stage, which is our plan for jobs and the forthcoming £2 billion kickstart scheme. This is about moving forward, not holding people back or in suspended animation.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner's specific ask was to extend the furlough scheme; instead, the answer focused on future plans without addressing the current situation.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q10
Direct Answer
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Context
The pandemic has had a significant impact on the economy, and the questioner seeks details about how different government departments are collaborating to provide new job opportunities.
The pandemic is still having an obvious impact and it is really important to have Government Departments working well together. What conversations has my right hon. Friend had with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, the Department for Education and the business community to ensure that there are opportunities for individuals in Bosworth and across the UK to get into education or work following covid?
My hon. Friend asks an important question about our work with the business community and across the Government. The DWP has been an integral player in the development of the plan for jobs. Together with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for BEIS and for Education, we have had several roundtables with the business community and others to ensure that people who are looking to enter employment can develop skills and have additional funding, going down the apprenticeship or traineeship route, as well as kickstart. I am also in regular discussions with other Cabinet colleagues on the creation of new opportunities wherever possible.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q11
Partial Answer
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Context
The universal credit uplift is due to end, leading to concerns about increased food bank usage.
I spoke yesterday with the manager of Brixton and Norwood food bank, who told me it had delivered as many parcels in the five-month period from April to August as they would normally deliver in a year—an extraordinary effort from a dedicated team of staff and volunteers for which our whole community is deeply grateful. However, they are very worried about the planned withdrawal of the £20 uplift in universal credit at the end of March, which would result in thousands more families across the country being unable to make ends meet indefinitely. Will the Secretary of State act now and confirm that the uplift will continue, or will she expect food banks up and down the country to scale up their efforts even further after March to continue to backfill for the Government's failure to stop food poverty?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question. The Department has an ongoing positive relationship with a range of food bank providers. It has regularly engaged with them throughout the coronavirus pandemic and will continue to do so. We quickly introduced welfare changes worth an additional £9.3 billion, and worked closely with other Government Departments on the cross-Government taskforce on food and other essential supplies. Further to my earlier answer, the hon. Lady will have to wait for future fiscal events where benefit rates are set.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask was to confirm continuation of the uplift; instead, the response stated that decisions would be made at future fiscal events without providing immediate assurance.
Too Early To Say
Response accuracy
Q12
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from Harrogate's role as a pilot site for Universal Credit and its involvement in legacy benefits managed migration trials. The pandemic has increased claim numbers, but the local team is praised for their response.
Harrogate was one of the first areas to see a full pilot for universal credit, and we are the location for the legacy benefits managed migration trial. The pandemic has led to an increase in claim numbers, but the team performance really has risen to the challenge. Will the Minister tell me how he ensures that not just the operational capacity of our jobcentres is maintained, but that best practice is shared so that everybody works at the pace of the best?
My hon. Friend rightly pays tribute to the incredible team at Harrogate Jobcentre Plus. As he knows, we have seen a surge of over 3 million claims since mid-March, and I agree that UC has stood up to the challenge, with payment timeliness remaining high at over 90%. We will continue to closely monitor our services across the country and will continue to keep staff numbers under review. As he also knows, we have committed to doubling the number of work coaches.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specify how best practices are shared or maintained operational capacity beyond general monitoring.
Response accuracy
Q13
Partial Answer
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Context
Local carers in the constituency are concerned about their financial support and the adequacy of the attendance allowance relative to Universal Credit.
This afternoon, I am meeting carers from across my constituency. They are concerned about their financial position. Will the Secretary of State commit to raising the attendance allowance until it matches universal credit payments?
As a Government, we absolutely recognise the support that carers provide. We have made a number of changes during covid-19 to maintain that support, including allowing emotional support and allowing for breaks due to covid. By 2024-25, we expect to be spending £3.6 billion supporting carers, which will be more than double that spent when we first came to office.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not commit to raising the attendance allowance or matching it with Universal Credit payments.
Response accuracy
Q14
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner seeks assurance that the kickstart scheme will integrate with other government efforts to provide comprehensive support for young people in towns like Winsford.
Can the Minister assure me that her excellent new kickstart scheme will not sit in isolation but will instead dovetail with other Government, apprenticeship and infrastructure efforts, so that towns such as Winsford can give their young a trade, not just a job, including helping to deliver brilliant broadband across Eddisbury?
I thank my hon. Friend for raising kickstart. This is a huge programme for young people, providing 25 hours a week and an opportunity to get their first foot on the employment ladder. We do not want our young people to be left behind because of the impact of the pandemic—we know that the scarring can affect them most. Kickstart will change that, and I ask all employers to get involved and be part of it.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not specifically address how kickstart scheme integrates with other initiatives.
Response accuracy
Q15
Partial Answer
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Context
The questioner raises concerns about constituents waiting over six months for a decision following a work capability assessment.
I have constituents who have been waiting more than six months for a decision following a work capability assessment. Is that not a bit ridiculous?
We rightly took a decision to suspend face-to-face assessments following Public Health England's guidance. We continue to keep this under review, but wherever possible, we are either doing a paper-based review or a telephone assessment, and we are automatically renewing reassessments that are due within three months by six months, and we review that on a regular basis.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not address the specific issue of over 6-month delays.
Response accuracy
Q16
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the national living wage's increase and its projected rise to two-thirds of median earnings by 2024.
I recognise that the national living wage has increased, but will my right hon Friend ensure that the full rise in the national living wage, to two thirds of median earnings by 2024, goes ahead as planned?
My right hon. Friend is a passionate advocate for hard-working people. He tempts me to set Treasury policy, which I fear the Chancellor of the Exchequer would not take kindly to, but I urge him to make representations to Her Majesty's Treasury instead.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer avoided addressing the question about the national living wage target and suggested making representations to another department.
Suggesting Contacting A Different Authority
Response accuracy
Q17
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from individuals excluded from specific covid support measures over the past six months due to their employment status.
There are 4,500 people in my constituency in south Cumbria and 3 million across the country who have been excluded from any covid-specific support over the last six months—those who have recently become self-employed, directors of small limited companies and people who were new starters in March. After six long, desperate months, will the Minister support a compensation package for those people?
I go back to our £30 billion plan for jobs. We have to move forward, absolutely understanding what we learned coming into this pandemic—that we have the highest employment rate going. Going back to square one for some of these people is a real challenge. That is why we have stopped the minimum income floor for people who are self-employed and we are supporting people to get back into work. I understand what the hon. Gentleman is asking, but we need to focus on the plan for jobs —a £30 billion scheme, with interventions coming down the line. We need to move forward and give people hope.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not support a compensation package directly, instead focusing on broader job recovery efforts.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy