Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Emily Thornberry and Mark Harper

Monday 9th March 2015 Commons Chamber

[Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) (Lab)]

T3. Last week Maximus told me that a disabled constituent of mine, who had been waiting more than a year for her ESA claim to be processed, could not be given a date on which that would happen, because many more people had had to wait longer. That does not exactly fill us with confidence, given that Maximus is taking over the Atos contract for assessing personal independence payment claims, or could the Minister give us some meaningful assurance that things can only get better?

[The Minister for Disabled People (Mr Mark Harper)]

To be fair to Maximus, it took over the contract only eight days ago. I remind the hon. Lady that the company that it took it over from, which had well-published problems, was appointed by a Government of the party of whom she is a member. We have been sorting out that problem. Maximus has been in place for eight days and will improve the position, but the hon. Lady needs to give it a fair crack of the whip. It will not sort out all the problems in a week.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Emily Thornberry and Mark Harper

Tuesday 15th November 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Harper]

My hon. Friend raises the question of potential fraud. That is exactly why we are introducing individual registration.

[Emily Thornberry (Islington South and Finsbury) (Lab)]

How many allegations of fraud were there last year?

[Mr Harper]

That measure was supported by all three parties in the House, despite what the hon. Lady might say from a sedentary position. The previous Government legislated to introduce individual registration in order to move away from the household-based system. In this way, we will have a register that is more complete and, importantly, more accurate.