Covid-19: Universal Credit

Baroness Sherlock Excerpts

Tuesday 2nd March 2021 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Baroness Sherlock]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to support claimants of Universal Credit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

[Baroness Sherlock (Lab) [V]]

My Lords, in January 6 million people were on universal credit, up from 3 million last March. Does the Minister accept—

[The Earl of Courtown (Con)]

My Lords, could the noble Baroness put the Question first?

[Baroness Sherlock (Lab) [V]]

I am so sorry; I am out of practice. I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Stedman-Scott) (Con)]

My Lords, where do I start? I am so proud of the work that my department has done in supporting people during the pandemic. Time does not allow me to reel off everything that we have done, but I shall list these: our plan for jobs; a £2 billion kick-start scheme; increased support for 40,000 jobseekers of all ages; sector work-based academies; the job-finding support service; the help that we have given to 160,000 people; and our £238 million job entry targeted support. There is much more that I could say to the whole House. The department has done an outstanding job.

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Sherlock (Lab) [V]]

I am grateful to the Minister for having got that list out of the way, because now she can answer one very simple question from me. Does she accept that cutting £20 a week from the incomes of people on universal credit, whether now or in six months, will push children into poverty and leave out-of-work support at its lowest level in decades, just when unemployment is set to peak? Will she take back to the Chancellor a clear message that he should cancel this cut, extend the £20 to legacy benefits and ensure that our social security system offers a proper safety net to everyone who needs it?

[Baroness Stedman-Scott (Con)]

The £20 uplift in universal credit has done an outstanding job. The Chancellor put it in place in a temporary way, and I guess tomorrow we will find out the intentions for the future. But please be assured that I am very happy to go back to the Chancellor and share the views of the noble Baroness and many others who have made that point.