Oral Answers to Questions

Claire Perry Excerpts

Monday 28th March 2011 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Claire Perry (Devizes) (Con)]

1. What assessment he has made of the potential effects on gender equality of the implementation of his proposals for universal credit.

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Duncan Smith)]

Before I answer this question, I would like to take the opportunity to offer my condolences—and those, I hope, of the House—to my hon. Friend the Member for South East Cornwall (Sheryll Murray), who had tabled a question for today, but whose husband tragically died last week.

As set out in the equality impact assessment published earlier this month, the effect of the universal credit measures and the Welfare Reform Bill on gender equality are approximately equal; and universal credit will see significant improvements in incentives for both men and women to work. We expect the new system will be particularly helpful to lone parents, including those who are looking for work that will fit in with their children’s schooling.

[Claire Perry]

Many working mothers in my constituency are concerned that the universal credit will mean the loss of their working tax credit and access to child care support. Will my right hon. Friend confirm that support for child care costs will be provided through an additional element as part of the universal credit?

[Mr Duncan Smith]

That is absolutely what we plan to do. We will bring forward our proposals shortly. The idea is that the available money will continue to be used for child care support. We recognise how important child care is in helping parents, particularly lone parents, to fit in their obligations to work and to look after their children.