Welfare Reform

Kim Johnson Excerpts
Tuesday 18th March 2025

(3 days, 2 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Liz Kendall Portrait Liz Kendall
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I am happy for the hon. Gentleman to write to me about that constituent so I can look at the issue.

Kim Johnson Portrait Kim Johnson (Liverpool Riverside) (Lab)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Three quarters of the people who claim universal credit and disability have gone without essential items in the past six months. The £5 billion cut is likely to make that worse for them. I have had lots of emails from my Liverpool Riverside constituents. As others have asked already this afternoon, will the Minister speak with the Chancellor about looking at a wealth tax? We need a wealth tax and not to be attacking the most vulnerable.

Liz Kendall Portrait Liz Kendall
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I know that my hon. Friend cares passionately about these issues. Her constituents will not only benefit from the £1 billion investment into employment support, but the first ever above-inflation permanent increase in universal credit, if people are on universal credit and PIP. We have already taken action to ensure that those with the broadest shoulders take a bigger burden, including our action on the non-dom tax status and a tax on the profits of utility companies. That principle of fairness is vital to us all.