Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Laura Smith and Amber Rudd

Monday 7th January 2019 Commons Chamber

[Amber Rudd]

My hon. Friend is right. Important though anecdotal evidence is—that is what MPs collect when they visit their job centres—it will also be absolutely critical to have full empirical evidence as well. In June last year, we published the universal credit full business case, which showed that universal credit will move more people into work. Once we have completed the managed migration pilot, we will also publish an impact assessment on the first phase.

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

Figures from the Trussell Trust show that food bank use increased significantly in the 12 months after the full-service roll-out of universal credit in Crewe and Nantwich. Universal credit was intended to lift people out of poverty. What has gone wrong?

[Amber Rudd]

I hope that the hon. Lady has seen an improvement since the roll-out started in Crewe and Nantwich—

[Laura Smith]

indicated dissent.

[Amber Rudd]

I suspect that if she speaks to the jobcentre there, she will be reassured that the number of people being paid on time has vastly risen—

[Laura Smith]

indicated dissent.

[Amber Rudd]

I would ask the hon. Lady to come back to me, if she will, and to have a conversation about this. It is absolutely true that when universal credit initially started, the payments were not getting out in time and advance payments were not available. That is now being changed, and claimants are universally noticing a distinct difference.