Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Scotland Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Guy Opperman Excerpts
Wednesday 19th March 2014

(10 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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On the spare room subsidy, the hon. Gentleman is aware that the Government have introduced significant contributions in relation to discretionary housing payment. He knows as well that the Scottish Government have significant powers to contribute to any mitigation that they think is necessary.

Guy Opperman Portrait Guy Opperman (Hexham) (Con)
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Surely the best way to address child poverty is by increasing employment and changing education and skills so that young people in Scotland and England have the skills and aspirations to work their way out of child poverty.

David Mundell Portrait David Mundell
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My hon. Friend is exactly right, which is why I would have thought that even Opposition Members would welcome the fact that employment in Scotland has increased by 15,000 over the quarter, and that the Scots employment rate rose by 0.3%.