The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit

Liam Byrne Excerpts

Wednesday 11th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Ms McVey]

I will give way, but I think we just need a moment to reflect. This is about getting people into work, and that is precisely what we are doing.

[Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill) (Lab)]

The Secretary of State will remember that back in 2013 I warned that this was not a benefit that was ready for wide-scale roll-out. In my Birmingham constituency, we have the DWP telling my constituents that they cannot apply for housing credit through universal credit. They get sent to Birmingham City Council, which then sends them back to the DWP. There is still a level of chaos on the frontline that meant that one of my constituents told me that not only could they not afford to eat, she could not afford to put socks on her children’s feet.

[Ms McVey]

And this from the man who said there was no money left. But to be fair, he actually has some honour, because that was correct.

Before we go any further—