House of Commons · Westminster Hall
20 July 2021 · 1 other contributor · 4,118 words
Opened by Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Responding minister: Will Quince
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Liz Saville-Roberts raised concerns about welfare system and child poverty: wales in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
I urge the Government to retain the temporary £20 universal credit uplift permanently and extend it to those on legacy benefits. Additionally, I ask for the Department for Work and Pensions to assess the impact of removing this uplift on child poverty in Wales, as well as to consider further devolution of welfare powers to the Senedd.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Before the pandemic, nearly a quarter of people in Wales were living in poverty, including 200,000 children. Child poverty has risen across most local authorities over the past five years, and one in three children now lives in poverty. The removal of the £20 universal credit uplift will leave many families unable to meet their costs. Poverty is a structural issue exacerbated by devolution complications, with both UK and Welsh Governments failing to address it adequately.
Welcomed the attendees to the debate and reminded Liz Saville Roberts that she would be on camera throughout the session.
Government Response
Will QuinceIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Paisley. I thank the right hon. Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Liz Saville Roberts) for securing this debate on child poverty in Wales. The UK Government has spent over £407 billion on support measures during the pandemic and injected an additional £7.4 billion into welfare, including a temporary £20 increase in universal credit standard allowances. Since 2010, there have been 1.3 million fewer people in absolute poverty after housing costs, including 300,000 fewer children. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is working closely with the Welsh Government on commitments set out in their programme for government 2021 to 2026. Over £7 billion has been invested through new schemes like the Kickstart Scheme which supports young people aged over 16. Since its launch last September, over 8,000 kickstart jobs have been advertised and over 2,000 young people in Wales have started roles. The DWP is committed to delivering the St David's Day agreement in full with a pooled risk system that accommodates asymmetric economic circumstances across different parts of the country. We are also considering recommendations from the independent in-work progression commission on barriers to progression for those in persistent low pay and encouraging the Welsh Government and employers to do the same.