Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Lord Sharma and Andrew Bowie

Monday 15th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Bowie (West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine) (Con)]

13. What progress she has made on the roll-out of universal credit throughout the UK.

[The Minister for Employment (Alok Sharma)]

Universal credit is now live in 495 jobcentres available to new claimants, and within weeks it will be available throughout the country.

[Andrew Bowie]

In two weeks’ time the remaining two thirds of my constituency will receive universal credit, following the one third who have already received it. Notwithstanding the frankly irresponsible narrative that we hear from Opposition Members, the work and pensions staff in the Aberdeen jobcentre cannot wait to get started and to deliver this transformative benefit. Can the Minister confirm that it is on track to be rolled out in two weeks’ time?

[Alok Sharma]

I thank my hon. Friend for engaging with his local jobcentre, which is not always done by Opposition Members. I hear the same thing from other jobcentre staff across the country. Universal credit is working, and I say to the Opposition, “Stop scaremongering: you are not helping the people who need the support.”