Universal Credit

Lord Field of Birkenhead Excerpts

Thursday 23rd November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I am sure that there will be an ongoing debate about the taper, which, as we made clear yesterday, we will continue to keep under review, but we acknowledge that there is a particular issue with the first assessment period and helping people over that period, which is why we made changes to the advances system back in October. I said at the time that we would continue to look at this, and that is why we have announced the package we have.

[Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab)]

Will the Secretary of State please commit now to bringing forward the loans scheme and keeping open the jobcentres and helplines due to be closed for eight out of 10 days over Christmas, to prevent any of my constituents from going hungry? May I also congratulate him on applying the financial armlock he learned in the Treasury to his then boss to such good effect?

[Mr Gauke]

I should probably thank the right hon. Gentleman for that comment. Relations between the Treasury and my Department are very good at the moment, which perhaps could not always be said.