Economy: Personal Debt

Baroness Lister of Burtersett Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd May 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox]

The right reverend Prelate the Bishop of Liverpool is right to remind us that he did ask that question of, I believe, my noble friend Lord Sassoon. I think he is referring to the report published by the noble Lord, Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach, which I have read. At the moment we are doing the consumer credit review. I will check this with my colleague, but I think that that report has gone in as evidence to the consumer credit review. When that review reports in the summer, no doubt it will refer to the report of the noble Lord, Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach.

[Baroness Lister of Burtersett]

My Lords, will the Minister comment on fears that a number of provisions in the Welfare Reform Bill could increase the level of personal debt? I am thinking of, for example, the effective abolition of the Social Fund and the suggestion that universal credit might be paid on a monthly basis, making even more difficult the juggling act of trying to get by on a low income.

[Baroness Wilcox]

I am afraid that I cannot answer the noble Baroness’s question because it is not my department, but I will come back to her in writing.