Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Law Excerpts

Monday 5th February 2018 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I thank the hon. Gentleman and the Minister.

[Chris Law (Dundee West) (SNP)]

Later, we will debate benefit uprating, which will maintain a freeze on many key working-age benefits even while the consumer price index sits at 3%. We all know that the freeze is pushing people into crisis, so will the Minister take this opportunity to lift the freeze to ease claimants’ suffering—yes or no?

[Kit Malthouse]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the freeze was enacted in primary legislation, and we would need a vote of the whole House to change it. I am afraid that it forms part of a general suite of welfare reforms that have driven an enormous number of people into work and out of poverty.