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Poverty and Welfare Policies
06 January 2026
Lead MP
Neil Duncan-Jordan
Poole
Lab
Responding Minister
Dame Diana Johnson
Tags
EconomyEmployment
Word Count: 4130
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Neil Duncan-Jordan raised concerns about poverty and welfare policies in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should introduce a protective minimum floor in the social security system, as supported by organisations such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, ensuring that welfare covers essentials for survival.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
More than 14 million people live in poverty in the UK, with significant numbers of working-age adults, disabled individuals, children, and pensioners struggling. The cost of living crisis has led to issues like heating homes, paying rent, buying food, and facing daily insecurity.
Mid Sussex
Asked whether paid carer's leave would help reduce poverty among family carers.
Daniel Francis
Lab
Bexleyheath and Crayford
In his constituency, Daniel Francis highlighted the importance of specialist support for neuro-divergent people to help them back into work, suggesting similar efforts are needed for disabled people and carers.
Ian Byrne
Lab
Liverpool West Derby
Discussing work with the Right to Food Commission, aiming to introduce a right to food into legislation and end hunger in the UK.
Ian Lavery
Lab
Blyth and Ashington
Ian Lavery emphasised the urgent need to address various forms of poverty without being bogged down by definitions or descriptors, focusing on practical measures to alleviate hardship for families struggling with essential costs.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Highlighting concerns about disability support through welfare not reflecting real-life situations and leading to financial suffering for those with complex conditions like Parkinson’s disease.
John Milne
LD
Horsham
Stressing that the truth is welfare spending as a percentage of GDP has barely changed since the 1980s and arguing for reform based on accurate figures.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Supporting Neil Duncan-Jordan's call for the Government to look at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s work to lift people out of poverty by ensuring they receive a minimum standard.
Government Response
Dame Diana Johnson
The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions
Government Response
Dame Diana Johnson highlighted the Labour Government's child poverty strategy aimed at lifting 550,000 children out of poverty by the end of Parliament. She mentioned abolishing the two-child limit policy, which affects nearly 2,000 children in Poole and 1.5 million nationwide. The strategy also includes expanding free school meals to half a million more families, introducing a £842 million crisis and resilience fund, and investing in early intervention support for new parents through Best Start family hubs. Discussed government initiatives to support employment, including increasing the national living wage and investing in childcare. Mentioned the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 and plans to remove the two-child limit to reduce child poverty. Highlighted progress on welfare reform and universal credit improvements, aiming for a reduction of 50,000 individuals in relative poverty by 2029-30. Addressed food poverty with renewed funding for holiday activities and food programmes.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.