Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Guy Opperman and Huw Merriman

Monday 7th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) (Con)]

7. What steps the Government are taking to support ex-offenders into employment.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Guy Opperman)]

We know that employment is the best way to avoid repeat offending. I should declare that I wrote a book on prisoner rehabilitation called “Doing Time” so I am particularly passionate about the work being done at both the Ministry of Justice and the Department for Work and Pensions with the “See Potential” campaign, which contains guidance to encourage the recruitment of ex-offenders.

[Huw Merriman]

Happy new year, Mr Speaker.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Guy Opperman)]

The Government have a cross-departmental strategy on Brexit. The reality is that the policy for overseas pensioners has continued since the second world war, was endorsed by the previous Labour Government and is continued by this Government.

[Huw Merriman (Bexhill and Battle) (Con)]

T2. I have seen at first hand the benefits that universal credit can bring by giving people a job and helping them to turn their lives around, and I have also heard the frustrations of work coaches that there are still many people on legacy benefits who do not get that same good service. May I therefore welcome the latest test and learn approach, but ask the Secretary of State to ensure that we still move towards change and deliver?