Debates between Lord Sharma and Alex Chalk during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Tue 8th Jan 2019

Universal Credit: Managed Migration

Debate between Lord Sharma and Alex Chalk
Tuesday 8th January 2019

(5 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
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As I have said—I am sorry if I have to keep repeating myself—we want to make sure that universal credit works for absolutely everyone. Wherever we sit in the House, we want our welfare system to work for everyone. We will continue to work with stakeholders and others to make sure we get this absolutely right.

Alex Chalk Portrait Alex Chalk (Cheltenham) (Con)
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Piloting managed migration for universal credit is an entirely sensible approach, as it means that lessons can be learned, but can the Minister assure me that, when learning those lessons, he will consider the evidence from charities and other experts so that the best possible evidence base is available and we can have the best possible system?

Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
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My hon. Friend raises an important point. We talk about stakeholders. We held an event for 70 stakeholders in October. We are working on work streams with stakeholders looking at how to create a successful claimant experience, what the role of delivery partners and external organisations might be in migration, how we communicate and engage with claimants, and how we identity and support our most vulnerable claimants. That work is going on right now. We will continue to do that to get this right.