All 1 Debates between Helen Hayes and Lilian Greenwood

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Helen Hayes and Lilian Greenwood
Monday 18th March 2019

(5 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Helen Hayes Portrait Helen Hayes (Dulwich and West Norwood) (Lab)
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13. What assessment her Department has made of the effect of the roll-out of universal credit on the level of referrals to food banks.

Lilian Greenwood Portrait Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South) (Lab)
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18. What assessment her Department has made of the effect of the roll-out of universal credit on the level of referrals to food banks.

Justin Tomlinson Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Justin Tomlinson)
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Our own evidence does not show a direct link between the increase in food bank use and the roll-out of universal credit. As the Trussell Trust has said, it is impossible to identify one single cause. Universal credit spends £2 billion more than the system it replaces, and it incentivises work, providing a pathway out of poverty.