Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Bridgen Excerpts

Monday 9th March 2020 Commons Chamber

[Will Quince]

First, I thank the right hon. Gentleman for all his work in this policy area. As he rightly pointed out, the change does remove any potential gap in provision, with people reaching state pension age and leaving universal credit receiving an additional £350 on average. I stress that the process is already in operation on an extra-statutory basis, ensuring that nobody loses out on reaching state pension age. Legislation will be amended accordingly later this year.

[Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Con)]

Will the Minister outline to the House what steps his Department is taking to support those citizens who have fallen into problem debt?

[Will Quince]

Certainly—the breathing space policy is a prime example. If my hon. Friend would like to meet me or, indeed, the Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman), who is the Minister for Pensions, we would be happy to do so to set out in more detail the action that the Government are taking.