Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Vicky Foxcroft

Wednesday 13th January 2021 Commons Chamber

[Elizabeth Truss]

My hon. Friend the Minister for Equalities has already presented the clear evidence on the covid crisis. My point is that, rather than looking at equality through the prism of groups, we should be focusing on making sure that every individual in this country—regardless of their race, their background, their sexuality or their sex—has the opportunity to succeed. That is what the data project we are working on will look at.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab) [V]]

I have been contacted by a WASPI—Women Against State Pension Inequality Campaign—woman who is a carer for her severely disabled ex-partner. She stopped work in 2019 due to his escalating care needs and was awarded carer’s allowance. When she finally received her state pension after decades of paying into the system, she was shocked to find that she was no longer eligible for carer’s allowance. How can it be right that when they hit pension age, carers—72% of whom are women—are no longer eligible for support?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I will take up the hon. Lady’s point with the Department for Work and Pensions.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Vicky Foxcroft

Tuesday 11th September 2018 Commons Chamber

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

8. Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of his Department's cross-departmental guidance on the contracting out of public services as a result of recent disturbances in prisons.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Elizabeth Truss)]

Guidance on contracting out public services is set by the Cabinet Office, and my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office has reviewed the guidance thoroughly.

[Vicky Foxcroft]

Appropriate transitions from prisons to the community are central in successfully reintegrating prisoners into society and bringing down reoffending rates, yet it is my understanding that some prisoners are being prevented from moving from category C to category D as they near their release date. Could the Minister confirm whether that is the case, and whether that is just another example of ineffective cost-saving measures?

[Elizabeth Truss]

My right hon. Friend the Justice Secretary recently released a strategy about how we are going to get more offenders into employment. We have a cross-Government working group on that, to ensure that people make the appropriate transition. I suggest that the hon. Lady speak to the Justice Department to get further details.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Vicky Foxcroft

Tuesday 6th September 2016 Commons Chamber

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

My constituent’s 17-year-old son Shaquan was murdered last year in Brockley. Will the Minister meet me and Sharon, Shaquan’s mother, to discuss the repeated failings in our justice system that mean that his killer is still walking the streets?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I would be very happy to meet the hon. Lady and her constituent, and I am very sorry to hear about that case.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Elizabeth Truss and Vicky Foxcroft

Thursday 17th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

T5. Violent crime is rising in my urban constituency. It has been proven that access to open spaces and the natural environment can reduce stress and have a calming effect. Will the Minister consider discussing with me the trial of a programme to enable those at risk of serious youth violence to experience the calming effects of the natural environment?

[Elizabeth Truss]

I completely agree with the hon. Lady about the importance of the natural environment, and about making sure that our children and young people have access to it. Earlier this week I was with Zac Goldsmith looking at his plans to open up urban farms and urban pocket parks to help to get people that access.