Tax Credits

Mark Spencer Excerpts

Tuesday 15th September 2015 Commons Chamber

[Damian Hinds]

I have been talking about some of the other elements, but these are matters on which the hon. Lady has a long track record of campaigning. Northern Ireland has a particular situation with regard to welfare reform and I hope all parties will come together to get through that. Discretionary payments are designed for housing issues in particular and were increased substantially in the summer Budget. It is possible that local authorities can use some of those funds to help out people who find themselves in particular difficulty, but I am of course very happy to meet her to go through this in more detail.

[Mark Spencer (Sherwood) (Con)]

How would families in my constituency be affected by a Government who went back to borrow and spend, who wrecked the economy, and who allowed unemployment to rise again? How would that affect the welfare of families working in Sherwood?

[Damian Hinds]

My hon. Friend is correct that everyone benefits from the economic security that comes from the country living within its means.