Universal Credit Roll-out

Debate between Ruth George and Stephen Kerr

Tuesday 24th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Kerr (Stirling) (Con)]

One of the aspects of last week’s debate—we have seen and heard it again today—was that while Opposition Front Benchers said that they supported the principles of universal credit and that their concerns were about the manner of the roll-out, what we heard from those who sit behind them was abject opposition to universal credit. It appears to me that they do not want so much to pause the roll-out as to completely abandon it.

I speak as someone who not only supports the principle of welfare reform but wishes to see its implementation go forward. Universal credit is so much better at helping people into a position where they can help themselves. I do not add my name to those calling for a pause or halt to the roll-out of universal credit because the roll-out is already planned to take nine years, and it is taking nine years because the Government are taking time to get it right. It is called check and adjust.

[Ruth George]

rose—

[Stephen Kerr]

It is about learning from experience and adapting. It is about continuous improvement. Calling for a pause or halt does not help that process one jot.

[Ruth George]

rose—

[Stephen Kerr]

It is important to tackle a change of such magnitude in that way. It is important to take the right amount of time to absorb the lessons being learned.

[Ruth George]

rose—