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 that the current government will 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 for the winter fuel allowance debate was deliberately withheld. Liz Kendall refuted this, stating that the previous government had not even allowed the Office for Budget Responsibility to analyze the Liz Truss mini-budget and had sat on 31 publications that should have been published. Paul Davies (Colne Valley) (Lab) raised concerns 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 stated that the government is looking to utilize new powers to obtain a liability order without recourse to the courts, reducing the time taken to secure such an order. Steve Darling (Torbay) (LD) drew attention to a report from the University of Bath that highlighted the "cliff edges" faced by benefit claimants, and asked what plans the Minister 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 will include looking at the cliff edge issue and others. Melanie Ward (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy) (Lab) asked the Secretary of State to agree that tackling child poverty will be a crucial part of the work of the Labour government, and requested that the Secretary of State visit her constituency. Liz Kendall acknowledged the importance of the issue and stated that she will meet children, families, and child poverty organizations from the constituency as part of the development of the new child poverty strategy. Vikki Slade (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD) asked the Secretary of State if she is satisfied that the current 12-month limit on the special rules for terminally ill people claiming benefits is sufficient, and if she has assessed how the administrative burden on such claimants can be reduced. Liz Kendall acknowledged the importance of the issue and stated that 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 expressed her willingness to work with the MP on ideas like this when the government brings forward its White Paper in the autumn. Olly Glover (Didcot and Wantage) (LD) asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Emma Reynolds, to provide a clear timescale for redress for AEAT pensioners who lost money due to the privatization of their pension scheme in 1996. Emma Reynolds stated that she would be willing to meet the MP to discuss the issue in more detail, as it has a long and complex history. Deirdre Costigan (Ealing Southall) (Lab) asked the Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, why the previous government chose not to publish the 31 research papers on the experience of disabled people applying for personal independence payments. Sir Stephen Timms stated that the previous government's policy of publishing such reports within 12 weeks was not complied with after 2018, and that the current government's announcement is 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 young person's guarantee in the Labour-run Welsh Government. Alison McGovern assured the MP that the government will work with the Welsh Government, Welsh local authorities, and all colleagues across the United Kingdom to get the policy right for young people. Markus Campbell-Savours (Penrith and Solway) (Lab) welcomed the government's proposed fraud Bill and asked the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Andrew Western, to explain how it will claw back money from people who cheat the system while also protecting privacy. Andrew Western stated that increased use of data will be essential to clamping down on fraud, but that this will be done without sharing any information with banks and financial institutions. 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 importance of this 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 his 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 flaws in the organization. Andrew Western stated that he is not familiar with the case, but will look into it if the MP provides the details.