Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Richard Thomson and David Rutley

Tuesday 31st January 2023 Commons Chamber

[David Rutley]

As I said previously, the FCDO has been supporting Mr El-Fattah and his family, and it is a case that we have been supporting. We have long advocated for the release of Mr El-Fattah and other defendants, along with international partners. The issue is that, as the Egyptian authorities have not recognised his dual nationality, consular staff have been unable to visit him in prison. However, we are in regular contact through his lawyer and his family, and we are continuing to press for action in this case, including his release.

[Richard Thomson (Gordon) (SNP)]

13. What recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the implementation of the UK-EU trade and co-operation agreement.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Richard Thomson and David Rutley

Monday 6th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[Richard Thomson (Gordon) (SNP)]

9. What recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of universal credit payment levels in the context of the rise in the cost of living.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (David Rutley)]

We have announced £15 billion in further cost of living support, bringing our total package to £37 billion this year. Through the Government’s recent interventions, we are targeting those most in need. Our package equates to at least £1,200 for almost 8 million of the most vulnerable households, at a challenging time for many people.

--- Later in debate ---

[David Rutley]

I do not know the exact details of that case, but there may be opportunities in that household to explore pension credits. Of course, the Chancellor, with support from my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, recently announced that the household support fund has also been increased by a further £500 million, until April next year.

[Richard Thomson]

The Scottish Government have doubled their game-changing Scottish child payment to £20 per child per week and will increase that to £25 by the end of the year, thereby supporting more than 100,000 children. Why will the UK Government not commit to increasing universal credit by an equivalent amount over the same timescale, and match that for and extend it to those on legacy benefits as well?

[David Rutley]

As we have highlighted, we have just set out a really significant increase in benefits payments as part of the package that is now worth £37 billion. As a result of the work we are doing not just to provide support but to enable people to get into work, there are now 200,000 fewer children in the UK who are in absolute poverty before housing costs.