Universal Credit: Managed Migration Debate

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Department: Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit: Managed Migration

Karen Buck Excerpts
Tuesday 8th January 2019

(5 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
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I would like to think that I have a good working relationship with my opposite number in the Scottish Government and of course we will continue to work with them on a range of issues. It is important that we get this process right for everyone and that is our intention.

Karen Buck Portrait Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab)
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I served in 2011 on the Welfare Reform Bill which paved the way for UC, and it is clear that the questions the Government could not answer then about UC they still cannot answer now, eight years later—and a little humility on the part of the Minister would be very welcome. Does he recognise that managed migration clients will not for the most part be the same as roll-out clients? There will be a higher level of vulnerability, with many people unable—and will continue to be unable—to work because of sickness and disability? What extra provision is he building into the system to make sure even this pilot does not leave people with a debt crisis and at risk of losing their home?

Lord Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
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The hon. Lady gets to the point of the pilot phase, as that is precisely what we want to make sure happens: we want to get this right particularly for the most vulnerable. We are working with a range of stakeholders. I set out in an earlier answer the work-streams we are working on, and we will continue to do that until we get this right.