Oral Answers to Questions

Justin Madders Excerpts

Monday 25th January 2021 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab)]

What steps her Department has taken to provide financial support to disabled people required to shield during the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021.

[Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)]

What steps her Department has taken to provide financial support to disabled people who are required to shield during the national lockdown.

[The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Justin Tomlinson)]

People who are advised to shield and are unable to work from home may be furloughed. Those who are not furloughed may be eligible for a range of other financial support, including statutory sick pay and new-style employment and support allowance, both of which remain payable from day one of a claim. Where eligible, a claim may also be made to universal credit.

[Justin Madders]

Many disabled people are on legacy benefits, which of course means they have not had the £20 a week universal credit uplift that has been made available. As the Government did not vote against our motion last week to retain that payment, I presume that they understand the value of retaining it, so will they now do the right thing and ensure that all disabled people have access to that extra cash?

[Justin Tomlinson]

We have shown as a Government the support we are providing, including over £9 billion of extra welfare support. Those on legacy benefits will have benefited from the annual uprating. Depending on individual circumstances, if a claimant would be better on universal credit, they can look to transfer over.