Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Sharma and Craig Tracey

Monday 21st May 2018 Commons Chamber

[Alok Sharma]

As the hon. Lady will know, a report that was published last year by the National Federation of ALMOs found that more than three quarters of tenants who started claiming universal credit were already in rent arrears. Other research shows that after four months on universal credit the number of claimants in arrears fell by a third. The key point is to make sure that we get help to individuals and that is precisely what the budget changes the Secretary of State has outlined do.

[Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)]

Could the Minister confirm whether, under universal credit, claimants are more likely to be in work within six months than they were under jobseeker’s allowance?

[Alok Sharma]

Yes, I can absolutely confirm that under universal credit claimants can get into work faster and stay in work longer than under the legacy system.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Sharma and Craig Tracey

Monday 4th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[The Minister for Housing and Planning (Alok Sharma)]

The hon. Gentleman will have noted that in the Budget the Chancellor set out our plans to consult on longer tenancies in the private rented sector, and that is precisely what we will be doing.

[Craig Tracey (North Warwickshire) (Con)]

T7. The positivity of small businesses in Bedworth last Saturday was tinged with frustration at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council’s decision to increase car parking charges, which has reduced footfall and seen fee income reduced by £200,000. Does the Minister agree that our councils should be far more focused on supporting our town centres, not on driving shoppers away?