Oral Answers to Questions

Ann Clwyd Excerpts

Wednesday 27th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Chris Bryant (Rhondda) (Lab)]

10. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the under-occupancy penalty on social housing in Wales.

[Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab)]

12. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the under-occupancy penalty on social housing in Wales.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Stephen Crabb)]

Information on the expected impact of the social sector under-occupancy measure is provided in the impact assessment prepared by the Department for Work and Pensions.

[Stephen Crabb]

The hon. Gentleman describes a reduction in Government expenditure as a tax. Opposition Members confuse their debt with their deficits and they spent 13 years describing out-of-control public spending as investment. I agree with the point made by the hon. Member for Cardiff South and Penarth (Stephen Doughty) on 5 February when he said that people who suffer from low levels of financial literacy struggle to make correct budgeting decisions. The hon. Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant) and his party are proof of that.

[Ann Clwyd]

No. 12, Mr Speaker.

[Mr Speaker]

The right hon. Lady’s question has been grouped. Her moment is now and we should hear from her.

[Ann Clwyd]

I shall take the moment, Mr Speaker.

One immediate measure that would protect the most vulnerable people would be to exempt those on disability living allowance from this tax. Will the Minister urgently review this policy?

[Stephen Crabb]

Let me start by wishing the right hon. Lady well with the important job that the Prime Minister has asked her to do on complaints in the NHS. I know that she has the respect and support of the whole House.

I understand the concerns among the disabled community about the implementation of this measure, but we are making substantial resource available for local authorities to assist with the difficult specific cases, among which I expect the disabled to be included.