Debates between Lord Sharma and Philippa Whitford during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Mon 14th Jan 2019

Universal Credit

Debate between Lord Sharma and Philippa Whitford
Monday 14th January 2019

(5 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

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Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
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When I met parliamentary colleagues to discuss the two-child policy, the meeting was chaired by the Bishop of Durham. We have made changes to the policy but, overall, this is about being fair to the taxpayer while being sustainable at the same time.

Philippa Whitford Portrait Dr Philippa Whitford (Central Ayrshire) (SNP)
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Some EU citizens are now being refused universal credit as they cannot produce proof of their residency rights. This particularly affects women in caring roles who have worked less and paid less tax. I welcome the Secretary of State’s wish to reduce universal credit’s impact on women, so will the Department review this scandal before it becomes a new shame on universal credit?

Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
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A clear set of criteria determines whether someone can claim universal credit. If the hon. Lady has a specific case or specific sets of cases, she should come to discuss those with me.