Welfare Benefits Up-rating Bill

Debate between Liam Byrne and Madeleine Moon

Tuesday 8th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mr Byrne]

What we need from this Government is the right combination of compassion and competence, and right now we see neither.

[Mrs Madeleine Moon (Bridgend) (Lab)]

We were told that this Bill was about fairness. How can it be a fair when a young mother in my constituency on jobseeker’s allowance is expected to live on £56.24 a week? She will lose £12 a week through the empty room tax and £9 a week in council tax. That leaves her with £35 a week to pay for heating, water and food. How is she going to survive? How can that be fair?

[Mr Byrne]

My hon. Friend is exactly right. What her constituents need is a job, but what they are not getting from the failed Work programme is any prospect at all of work.