Oral Answers to Questions

Andrew Gwynne Excerpts
Monday 9th May 2016

(8 years, 7 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
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This is a significant part of our ongoing work to bring the two main Departments together to help create additional opportunities and support for colleagues. We will bring forward further details soon.

Andrew Gwynne Portrait Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab)
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The fact is that analysis by the House of Commons Library shows that £1.2 billion of support to disabled people is set to be cut in this Parliament. Is this what the Secretary of State means about having a new conversation with disabled people?

Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
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Let me challenge the hon. Gentleman back on that. In my area, spending on personal independence payment and disability living allowance will be £16.6 billion, as compared with £12.7 billion under the previous Government. Overall, we spend nearly £50 billion a year on benefits to support people with disabilities and health conditions. That is rising every year to 2020. Record amounts of money are being spent.