Oral Answers to Questions

Kate Green Excerpts
Monday 18th March 2019

(5 years ago)

Commons Chamber
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Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
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There are automatic exemptions for claimants on DLA, PIP, carer’s allowance, guardian’s allowance, working tax credits when working over 16 hours a week, universal credit when earning over £542, ESA support or the UC higher rate. Where they are not covered by that, discretionary housing payments can be used, and in that case they certainly should have been looked at favourably.

Kate Green Portrait Kate Green (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab)
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On 29 January, the Minister told me in a written answer that the Department does not know how many resettled refugee families may be subject to the benefit cap. Can he give me an assurance on the Floor of the House that the Government will start to look at that data and guarantee that no such family will be left unable to access the financial support they need?

Justin Tomlinson Portrait Justin Tomlinson
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I thank the hon. Lady. I have met a number of stakeholders to discuss this issue and wider issues connected to refugees. It is an area of priority for the Department, and I would be happy to meet her to discuss this further.