Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Ministry of Justice

Oral Answers to Questions

Julian Huppert Excerpts
Tuesday 11th January 2011

(13 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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John Bercow Portrait Mr Speaker
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I gently remind Ministers on the Treasury Bench that answers to topical questions are supposed to be brief.

Julian Huppert Portrait Dr Julian Huppert (Cambridge) (LD)
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T2. Does the Secretary of State share my concern that releasing prisoners with £46 in their pocket, nowhere to stay and a delay of one to six weeks before they can get jobseeker’s allowance makes it more likely that they will reoffend? Will he seek to reach an arrangement with the Department for Work and Pensions so that benefits can start promptly on release?

Crispin Blunt Portrait The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice (Mr Crispin Blunt)
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My hon. Friend alights on a significant problem. I am in discussions with the Department for Work and Pensions and I hope that we will be able to bring forward proposals that will address that issue.