Oral Answers to Questions

Huw Merriman Excerpts

Monday 18th March 2019 Commons Chamber

[Bob Blackman (Harrow East) (Con)]

1. What comparative assessment her Department has made of the levels of financial support available through (a) universal credit and (b) the legacy system.

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

3. What comparative assessment her Department has made of the levels of financial support available through (a) universal credit and (b) the legacy system.

[Luke Graham (Ochil and South Perthshire) (Con)]

23. What comparative assessment her Department has made of the levels of financial support available through (a) universal credit and (b) the legacy system.

--- Later in debate ---

[Amber Rudd]

My hon. Friend is right that an extra £1.7 billion a year will be put into work allowances to increase them by £1,000 from April 2019. That will provide a boost to the incomes of the lowest paid that will result in 2.4 million families keeping an extra £630 per year of what they earn.

[Huw Merriman]

It is not just the financial support that is key, but the support provided by jobcentres in getting people work-ready. One of my constituents was languishing on benefits for a decade with no interventions. Now, under universal credit, she is being helped and supported to become job-ready. Will my right hon. Friend ensure that we continue this approach, and that we reach out and support the work coaches in jobcentres?

[Amber Rudd]

I thank my hon. Friend and near parliamentary neighbour for pointing out the excellent work done by work coaches. The defining difference between universal credit and the legacy benefits that it replaces is that tailored, personal approach, which really helps individuals to get back into work.