Oral Answers to Questions

Ann Clwyd Excerpts

Wednesday 29th June 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Gillan]

The hon. Gentleman should know that I met HMRC earlier this week to discuss the reports in the press. I am pleased to say that there are no new announcements of HMRC office closures or moves in Wales at this time. HMRC has assured me that any office closures will not lead to job reductions beyond those already required by the spending review and that there are no plans to reduce the number of HMRC offices in Wales.

[Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab)]

7. What assessment she has made of the potential effects on Wales of implementation of the provisions of the Welfare Reform Bill.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Wales (Mr David Jones)]

I refer the right hon. Lady to my earlier answer to the hon. Member for Newport West (Paul Flynn).

[Ann Clwyd]

In the Cynon Valley, as in so many south Wales valleys constituencies, there is a high percentage of disabled people. My constituents want to know why the Government are intent on depicting them as scroungers and second-class citizens.

[Mr Jones]

That is not a description that I recognise. It is certainly the case that in many south Wales valleys, endemic worklessness is a problem. The Government’s reforms aim to ensure that those who can work are helped into work and those who are unable to work get the support that they need.