Covid-19: People Living in Poverty Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Work and Pensions
Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
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Covid-19: People Living in Poverty
Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Excerpts(4 years, 6 months ago)
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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick (Non-Afl)
My Lords, this debate presents an opportunity, with all the challenges of the Covid pandemic, for the Government to reshape the debate around welfare with a view to reducing poverty. There is no doubt that poverty will be deepened by the Covid pandemic, but it is important that the language and the legislation are changed from those of austerity to those of compassion, fairness, equality and social justice. Can the Minister say what plans the Government have to change and reformulate the policy to one of fairness, equality and compassion, which ensures that there is a reduction in poverty?