Oral Answers to Questions

Gavin Newlands Excerpts

Monday 13th November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I call James Frith. Not here—where is the feller? I call Gavin Newlands.

[Gavin Newlands (Paisley and Renfrewshire North) (SNP)]

T5. I will take the hon. Gentleman’s place, Mr Speaker.My local authority in Renfrewshire is having to set aside nearly £1 million to mitigate the devastating impact on families of the roll-out of universal credit. It is hiring extra staff to deal with rent arrears, which it expects to increase by 5%. With all levels of government in Scotland forced to pick up this Government’s slack, what further evidence does the Secretary of State need to see the huge systemic problems in UC and to understand that he must pause the roll-out now?

[Mr Gauke]

Universal credit will help to transform lives positively. It is already doing so by giving people the opportunity to work and to progress in work. The Scottish National party can join the Labour party in being on the wrong side of the argument, but history will not forgive it for that.