Universal Credit Roll-out

Angela Eagle Excerpts

Tuesday 24th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Debbie Abrahams]

I totally agree with my hon. Friend. We must have a responsive Government who listen to the will of the House and the people we represent. It is not good enough just to say that a motion is not binding—we need action.

[Ms Angela Eagle (Wallasey) (Lab)]

Does my hon. Friend agree that there is an urgent need for a pause? In Wallasey, the roll-out will begin halfway through November. Six weeks later, it will be Christmas. The Department for Work and Pensions will not be open on Christmas day, which means that many of my constituents will have to wait until the new year for assistance. That is why our local food bank is looking to collect 15 tonnes of extra food to deal with demand. Does she agree that it is time that the Government listened to Parliament and acted to alleviate such obviously avoidable hardship?

[Debbie Abrahams]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. Food banks are running out of food as the scheme is being rolled out. What will happen to families who desperately need financial support?

--- Later in debate ---

[Damian Hinds]

The right hon. Gentleman is of course right that he has raised that point a number of times. I think last time he raised it, he put it in the context specifically of Christmas. I am aware that organisations like food banks do have an increase in their activity at Christmas-time. I think we have to be careful in ascribing the reasons for the usage of food banks to individual or simple causes, and as I said to him—

[Ms Angela Eagle]

Will the Minister give way?

[Damian Hinds]

No. If the hon. Lady will forgive me, I am responding to the right hon. Gentleman.

--- Later in debate ---

[Kate Green]

rose—

[Ms Angela Eagle]

rose—

[Damian Hinds]

I apologise to both hon. Ladies who have stood up, but I want to bring my remarks to a conclusion. I know that many Members, on both sides of the House, probably including them—