Tax Credits: Concentrix Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Tax Credits: Concentrix

Christina Rees Excerpts
Wednesday 14th September 2016

(8 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

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Jane Ellison Portrait Jane Ellison
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In the normal course of events, we would always look to how things should be arranged in the future after reflecting on what we can learn from things that have already happened. That would happen through a normal process of review and consideration. We shall have to agree to differ on the issue of whether an inquiry is needed.

Christina Rees Portrait Christina Rees (Neath) (Lab/Co-op)
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I have been contacted by many distressed women in my Neath constituency about how awful Concentrix really is. Some Concentrix advisers have suggested to mums, who are desperately trying to renew their tax credits, to get payday loans to feed their children while their claims are being processed. A group has been formed, called “Concentrix Mums”, whose more than 5,000 members can share their horror stories. Let me provide just a couple.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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No. I think one will suffice.

Christina Rees Portrait Christina Rees
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One it is, Mr Speaker.

John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I fear the hon. Lady has caught what might be called “the Burnley condition”.

Christina Rees Portrait Christina Rees
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I hope not. Does it involve shoehorning? One mum had not eaten for three days so that she could feed her children. This is sickening: it should be stopped and it should have been stopped a long time ago.