Oral Answers to Questions

Laura Smith Excerpts

Monday 18th December 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

The right hon. Gentleman will experience a long journey from East Ham to Torbay. We empathise with him on his long journey.

[Laura Smith (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)]

16. What assessment his Department has made of trends in the level of spending on social security for working households since 2015.

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr David Gauke)]

Since 2015, the level of social security spending for families on in-work benefits has reduced from £28.9 billion to £26.7 billion in real terms. This has happened during a period when we have introduced the national living wage, employment has reached record levels, free childcare has doubled, the personal allowance has increased and income inequality has continued to fall.

[Laura Smith]

With 8 million people living in poverty in working households and 28% of my constituents earning below the voluntary living wage, what action is the Secretary of State taking to address labour market inequalities with low-paid, low-skilled and insecure work?

--- Later in debate ---

[Mr Gauke]

I can certainly assure my hon. Friend that we will continue to listen to constructive critics and those who want to make sure that universal credit works. In doing so, I thank him for his positive and constructive engagement. It is very clear that Conservative Members are united in ensuring that we deliver universal credit successfully.

[Laura Smith (Crewe and Nantwich) (Lab)]

T5. Some 68% of personal independence payment decisions taken to tribunal are being overturned by judges, so is it any surprise that my constituent Mr Parish and others in his situation have no faith in the assessment process? What assessment has the Secretary of State made of the accuracy of PIP assessments in the light of statistics that show that there has been a ninefold increase in complaints to the Department in just one year?

[The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Sarah Newton)]

I thank the hon. Lady for the opportunity to make this clarification. As I have mentioned before, 8% of decisions are taken to appeal, and only half of those are upheld. I appreciate that every one of those people is disappointed with the result, and we are working tirelessly to improve the process. But, overall, most people get a good decision on time, and their benefits.