Child Poverty
Debate between Iain Duncan Smith and Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent(9 years, 5 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
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Mr Duncan Smith
Right. If we do sanction someone, the processes before that happens are exhaustive—[Interruption.] Oh yes they are. People continue to be supported through all the child support mechanisms, including child benefit, and the household support that is available as well.
Ruth Smeeth (Stoke-on-Trent North) (Lab)
In my constituency, 31% of the children—more than 6,000 children —are born into poverty, and the parents of 36% of them earn less than the living wage. I have already had people who are working arrive at my surgeries in tears, terrified about what will happen when the Government chop tax credits. What would the Secretary of State like me to tell my constituents?
Mr Duncan Smith
I should tell them that they should wait, as should the hon. Lady, to see what we bring forward. They may be surprised.