Oral Answers to Questions

Ann Clwyd Excerpts

Wednesday 8th January 2014 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jones]

We have made it absolutely clear that we believe a competitive Welsh economy would depend to a large extent on a competitive rate of tax. However, I must remind the hon. Lady that devolution of income tax is a matter for the Welsh Government, in that it would be the Welsh Government who would have to put forward a referendum to the Welsh Assembly.

[Ann Clwyd (Cynon Valley) (Lab)]

5. What recent assessment he has made of the potential effect of the roll-out of universal credit on people in Wales.

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

The roll-out of universal credit will reduce the historic dependency on benefits for the people of Wales by making the system simple and more flexible, and by increasing the incentive to work.

[Ann Clwyd]

Is it not a fact that repeated promises to deliver the project on time and on budget have been broken yet again? Officials are warning of further delays and more wasted taxpayers’ money, and Ministers are arguing among themselves while families and children in Wales live in poverty. What way is this to run a country?

[Stephen Crabb]

What universal credit represents for the country, including Wales—I think Opposition Members recognise this as well—is a generational opportunity to change the welfare system better to support those who need it. It is exactly right that we take the time necessary to get the systems and processes right to ensure that we get the outcomes right for people in Wales.