Work, Health and Disability

Debate between David Gauke and Stephen Kerr

Thursday 30th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I have not done so, but we have made reforms to the work capability assessment process. As I said earlier, those with severe disabilities no longer need to be reassessed in the same way. I have dealt with the matter as a constituency Member of Parliament, and I recognise the concerns that exist. I also recognise that there is not, as yet, a consensus on exactly how the work capability assessment should be reformed.

[Stephen Kerr (Stirling) (Con)]

In welcoming the Secretary of State’s statement about helping more people with health conditions back into work, may I ask what is being done to enhance the Jobcentre Plus offer, specifically in relation to helping people who have mental health issues and learning disabilities with universal credit applications?

[Mr Gauke]

My hon. Friend makes a good point. We have 300 disability employment advisers in place. I have met them and discussed their work, and I am struck by the specialist support that they can provide. We are also putting in place 200 community partners to assist further on the matter. We are trying to ensure that Jobcentre Plus is well placed to provide the support that people need.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Stephen Kerr

Monday 13th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

The point about universal credit is that it operates when people are out of work and when they are in work. What we will not get is what happens with the legacy system: people worrying about working extra hours in case they find that their claim is closed. That holds people back from progressing. I believe that in-work conditionality has a role to play within our system to ensure that people progress. There is an issue in terms of people who are in work but are none the less receiving substantial support from the taxpayer. We want them to be able to progress to be less dependent on the state. That is what universal credit will deliver.

[Stephen Kerr (Stirling) (Con)]

What steps has the Secretary of State taken to increase awareness of advance payments?

[Mr Gauke]

We have changed the guidance that applies in jobcentres on advanced payments and increased publicity in jobcentres. I visited a jobcentre in Bedford and saw myself how the operation of advances is working. We believe there will be an increase in take-up, which will ensure that people receive the support they need. The suggestion that people under universal credit will face weeks and weeks and weeks without any financial support whatever is, I am afraid, scaremongering. That is what is happening under the system as it is operating now.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Gauke]

I am happy to receive representations from the hon. Gentleman on that case. Obviously I cannot talk about the individual case, but I am happy to look at it.

[Stephen Kerr (Stirling) (Con)]

What are Ministers doing to close loopholes used to avoid child maintenance payments?

Jobcentre Plus: Closures

Debate between David Gauke and Stephen Kerr

Thursday 6th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Kerr (Stirling) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that

“the purpose of the estates review is to make sure that the estate is effective and reflects demands on the…service”?

Those are not my words but those of the Scottish National party Government Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Michael Matheson MSP, in relation to Police Scotland. They show that the SNP argue for rationalising the public services estate when it suits them.

[Mr Gauke]

My hon. Friend makes an excellent point. Governments have to ensure that public money is spent sensibly, and one of the ways of doing that is by rationalising the estate. Keeping open under-utilised jobcentres is simply not a good use of taxpayers’ money, and it does not do claimants any good either.