Homelessness: Housing Benefit

Lord Watts Excerpts

Thursday 9th March 2017 Lords Chamber

[Lord Henley]

My Lords, not one of the individuals on jobseeker’s allowance to whom the noble Baroness referred will be affected. As I made clear in my Answer, this matter relates to those on universal credit. As we also made clear in another place, and I will make clear now, there is a considerable number of exemptions. I think that some 25 are listed in the regulations—I can go through them if the noble Baroness wishes me to do so—which offer protection for those who need it.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, given the massive increase that we have seen in the number of young homeless people on our streets, how will this policy help that situation?

[Lord Henley]

My Lords, this policy will help that situation by encouraging young people to stay at home with their families rather than establishing themselves in a life on benefit. As we made clear, for those who need help, protections are in place. It is the noble Lord and those who wish to get rid of measures such as this who would condemn individuals to a life on benefit and cause far greater problems than we are addressing with this measure.

Pensions: Women’s State Pension Age

Lord Watts Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd November 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Freud]

Many noble Lords took part in debates on this issue in the House. One issue that we discussed was the Green Paper about the new state pension and how that would affect the women involved. We made the concession. But after that we introduced the new state pension, which has been carefully focused on the poorest women. By 2030, 3 million women will be on the full rate and gaining £550 extra each year.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

Can the Minister give any examples of where thousands of pounds have been taken from medium-income families in one fell swoop? Can he give an example of any other Government who have ever done that?

[Lord Freud]

This measure was introduced in 1995 to equalise state pensions. There were adjustments in 2007 and 2011 and then in the Pensions Act 2014. The move to equalisation was a consensus policy by both the Conservative and Labour Governments during that time.

Poverty Programmes: Audit

Lord Watts Excerpts

Wednesday 4th May 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Freud]

My Lords, there is a different process for asylum seekers. However, once they have the right to remain, they are entitled to our welfare support.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, will the Minister guarantee that the anti-poverty measures which the Government have put in place will be measured independently, that those independent reports will be published, and that if the Government’s measures are found to be failing, they will change policy?

[Lord Freud]

The noble Lord will be aware that we publish an enormous number of reports, many of which are independent. Indeed, many of them have been developed at the request of this House.

State Pension Age

Lord Watts Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd March 2016 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Altmann]

The independent review will be considering long-term changes to the state pension age. It will not be recommending any changes before what is currently legislated for up to 2028.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, will the review take into account the ability of people to work beyond the age of 65, bearing in mind that some people have a very physical job and may not be able to work after that?

[Baroness Altmann]

My Lords, as the terms of reference make clear, the independent review will consider changes in life expectancy as well all other relevant factors.