Girls’ Education

Debate between Lord Sharma and Christian Matheson

Thursday 5th September 2019 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

May I pay tribute to my hon. Friend’s work over many years in this area? He has highlighted one of the organisations he has been involved in. The support we have provided over the last four years has meant that 5.8 million more girls are getting a decent education and it is vital that we continue this work.

[Christian Matheson (City of Chester) (Lab)]

I welcome this statement. When I go on “Send My Friend to School” visits in Chester, girls’ education is always the No. 1 issue raised with me by British schoolchildren. However, will the Secretary of State confirm that, if we do not get right nutrition and healthcare as part as the package that supports education, that could damage education for girls? It is about getting the whole picture right.

[Alok Sharma]

The hon. Gentleman raises a vital point, and we need a holistic approach to our work. I believe that is very much what DFID does as a Department.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Sharma and Christian Matheson

Monday 18th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Christian Matheson (City of Chester) (Lab)]

24. What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the roll-out of universal credit.

[The Minister for Employment (Alok Sharma)]

Universal credit is now available in all jobcentres across the country and is helping people into work. The universal credit claimant survey published last year showed that, under universal credit, the likelihood of being in work almost doubles between the point of making a claim and nine months into the claim.

[Christian Matheson]

Of the claimants who have been transferred from legacy benefits on to universal credit, what proportion are now receiving more money than they were under legacy benefits, what proportion are receiving the same and what proportion are receiving less money than they were?

[Alok Sharma]

The hon. Gentleman is referring to where people have a change in circumstances. That is not anything new under universal credit: changes in circumstances exist within the legacy benefits system. People get a different calculation in terms of the amount of money, and that has not changed under universal credit.