Tuesday 21st July 2015

(8 years, 9 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Priti Patel Portrait Priti Patel
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The hon. Gentleman raises a number of points. It is right that the Department reviews complex individual cases, including those in which claimants have died, to ensure that all processes have been followed correctly. As I have said on previous occasions to Scottish National party Members, I am happy to look at specific cases. On the point about sanctions, unemployment benefits have always been conditional, and benefits sanctions have been part of the system for the last four decades, as is right and proper. As regards the appeal and the publication of the data, I have already said that we will, as requested, publish all aspects of the data in the right format as is required of the Department.

Kit Malthouse Portrait Kit Malthouse (North West Hampshire) (Con)
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I welcome the Minister’s pledge to publish the data in the autumn. Does she agree that, if we are to form a judgment, it is very important that comparative data are published, not least longitudinal data for the cohorts involved, to see whether the situation is improving, and perhaps some international comparisons?

Priti Patel Portrait Priti Patel
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right, and we will publish all the relevant data in this area.