Topical Questions

Chris Webb (Blackpool South) (Lab) asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, to assure women in his constituency and across the country that the government will act urgently to end the injustice faced by WASPI (Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign) women. Liz Kendall acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, stating that the previous government had failed to resolve it, and promised to do everything possible to get the issue resolved as soon as possible. Mel Stride (Central Devon) (Con) questioned the transparency of the government, alleging that an equality impact assessment on the winter fuel allowance was deliberately withheld from a recent debate. Liz Kendall refuted this, stating that the previous government had failed to be transparent and had sat on 31 publications that should have been released. Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab) raised concerns from his constituents about the inefficiency of the Child Maintenance Service in collecting arrears payments. The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Andrew Western, acknowledged the issue and outlined measures being taken to enhance the service's effectiveness. Steve Darling (Torbay) (LD) drew attention to a report highlighting the "cliff edges" faced by benefit claimants, and asked what plans the government has to tackle the lack of compassion in the system. The Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, stated that the government's manifesto commitment to review universal credit would include looking at issues such as the cliff edge problem. Vikki Slade (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD) raised concerns about the 12-month limit on the special rules for terminally ill people claiming benefits, and the administrative burden they face. Liz Kendall acknowledged the importance of the issue and said she would be happy for the Social Security Minister and her office to contact the MP to get more information. Marsha De Cordova (Battersea) (Lab) asked the Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern, to commit to introducing a jobcentre assistive technology fund to aid disabled people in their quest to look for work. Alison McGovern welcomed the idea and said she looked forward to working with the MP on it. Olly Glover (Didcot and Wantage) (LD) asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Emma Reynolds, for a clear timescale for redress for AEAT pensioners who had lost money due to the privatisation of their pension scheme. Emma Reynolds stated that she would be willing to meet the MP to discuss the complex issue in more detail. Deirdre Costigan (Ealing Southall) (Lab) questioned why the previous government had chosen not to publish the 31 research papers on the experience of disabled people applying for personal independence payments, which the current government has now published. The Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, acknowledged the "culture of secrecy, obfuscation and cover-up" under the previous government and stated that the publication of the reports was a vital first step in rebuilding trust in the Department. Alex Barros-Curtis (Cardiff West) (Lab) asked the Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern, to assure him and his constituents that the government will learn from the work being done on the youth guarantee in Wales. Alison McGovern gave that assurance, stating that the government will work with the Welsh Government and others to get the policy right for young people. Priti Patel (Witham) (Con) questioned how the government expects employment levels to stay high and small businesses to be at the heart of any employment strategy, given the higher taxes that employers will face. Liz Kendall defended the government's approach, stating that the previous government had the highest taxes in 70 years and that the current government will transform jobcentres into a new jobs and careers service. Markus Campbell-Savours (Penrith and Solway) (Lab) welcomed the government's proposed fraud Bill and asked the Minister for Employment, Andrew Western, to explain how it will claw back money from people who cheat the system while also protecting privacy. Andrew Western acknowledged the unacceptable level of fraud in the welfare system and stated that increased use of data will be essential to clamping down on it, while ensuring no information is shared with banks and financial institutions. Graham Stuart (Beverley and Holderness) (Con) asked the Secretary of State, Liz Kendall, to share how many thousands of people will die as a result of Labour's choice to cut the winter fuel payment. Liz Kendall responded by providing data showing an increase in pensioners living in poverty under the previous government, and stating that she is happy to publish information on the increase in pension credit claims. Oliver Ryan (Burnley) (Lab/Co-op) asked the Secretary of State to assure his constituents that the government is doing everything it can to crack down on fraud in the welfare system, while ensuring that those who genuinely need help get it. Andrew Western acknowledged the issue and stated that the government will not tolerate the current levels of fraud, and that the forthcoming fraud, error and debt Bill will begin the necessary work to drive down fraud in the Department. Dave Doogan (Angus and Perthshire Glens) (SNP) shared the plight of a constituent who went without child maintenance payments for six months due to a mistake by the Child Maintenance Service, and asked the Secretary of State to apologize and outline plans to rectify the flawed organisation. Andrew Western acknowledged the issue and stated that he would look into it further if the MP provided the details.