Oral Answers to Questions

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, responded to tabled questions on a range of issues, including the impact of means-testing the winter fuel payment, efforts to increase uptake of pension credit, and the effectiveness of the Child Maintenance Service. On the winter fuel payment, Kendall acknowledged that the decision to means-test the payment was not one the government wanted to make, but was necessary due to the £22 billion black hole in public finances left by the previous Conservative government. She emphasized the government's determination to increase pension credit uptake to ensure the poorest pensioners receive the support they are entitled to. Regarding the Child Maintenance Service, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Andrew Western, outlined steps being taken to improve collection rates and robust enforcement against non-payers. In the topical questions section, the debate covered a variety of issues. The shadow Secretary of State, Mel Stride (Conservative), questioned the government's transparency around the equality impact assessment for the winter fuel payment changes. The Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, responded by highlighting the government's commitment to openness and transparency, in contrast to the previous administration. Other topics included support for vulnerable people into work, the effectiveness of Jobcentre Plus, and measures to tackle carer's allowance overpayments.