Universal Credit

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Freud

Tuesday 19th July 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Freud]

Let me be absolutely clear why we are doing this. It is of course very convenient for housing associations to be paid directly by the state, but it is incredibly inconvenient for claimants to then move from being out of work to being in work. Our whole drive is to break that barrier and get rid of all those artificial barriers to people going into work. It is something that we need to work on and get right, so that the transformation is made easily. The basic, underlying philosophy is more important than the convenience of housing associations.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

When did the Minister last meet one of these claimants in person?

[Lord Freud]

Oh, last week.

Benefits: Sanctions

Debate between Lord Foulkes of Cumnock and Lord Freud

Thursday 10th September 2015 Lords Chamber

[Lord Freud]

We have done surveys on this and found that people say that the sanctions regime encourages positive behaviour. According to the figures we have, which have been published, 72% of JSA claimants and 61% of ESA claimants say that it impacts on their behaviour.

[Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Lab)]

My Lords—