Universal Credit (Children)

Debate between Owen Smith and Priti Patel

Tuesday 10th May 2016 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

I do not have information or data to hand on the current estimate, but the Government previously published figures on UC and child poverty. As other Members have commented on this, I will be very happy to write to them and to the right hon. Gentleman to update them on those numbers.

[Owen Smith (Pontypridd) (Lab)]

Does the Minister think that that figure will be more or less than the 200,000 additional children going into absolute poverty cited by the Resolution Foundation?

[Priti Patel]

As the hon. Gentleman has just heard me say, when we publish our life chances strategy and focus on tackling the root causes of child poverty—we are committed to eradicating child poverty, as well—we will be driving those numbers down.

Welfare Reform and Work Bill

Debate between Owen Smith and Priti Patel

Tuesday 23rd February 2016 Commons Chamber

[Owen Smith (Pontypridd) (Lab)]

rose—

[Priti Patel]

Is this on Lords amendment 1?

[Owen Smith]

It’s about Macmillan.

[Priti Patel]

I give way to the hon. Gentleman.

[Owen Smith]

I am grateful to the Minister. She prays in aid Macmillan. Will she confirm that it is opposed to the £30 a week reduction for members of the ESA work-related activity group? It is not in favour of it; it is opposed to it.