Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Kit Malthouse and Stephen Doughty

Monday 26th March 2018 Commons Chamber

[Kit Malthouse]

I know that the hon. Lady likes to present herself as some kind of latter-day mahatma and as the only person in this House who cares about poverty, but, of course, that is not true. Many of us—as councillors, voluntary workers, social workers and so on—have spent many years fighting poverty, so it would be helpful to the general tone of debate in this House if she were not quite so accusatory. Our view, and the Office for National Statistics points this out, is that 100,000 fewer work-age lone parents are now in poverty and that their biggest problem—the biggest thing that assails them—is childcare. The 85% payment for childcare under universal credit and the increase in availability to 30 hours will give the greatest assistance to lone parents.

[Stephen Doughty (Cardiff South and Penarth) (Lab/Co-op)]

8. What progress has been made on the Government’s review of personal independence payment claims; and if she will make a statement.