Welfare Reform

Sarah Smith Excerpts
Tuesday 18th March 2025

(2 days, 12 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Liz Kendall Portrait Liz Kendall
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My hon. Friend raises a really important point, and it would be really good if she talked to my right hon. Friend the Minister for Social Security and Disability, who is reviewing universal credit, as we promised in our manifesto, to tackle poverty and make work pay. We have to make that a reality for everybody in this country, and I am sure that, if she talks to him, he will speak more about what we are doing in this regard.

Sarah Smith Portrait Sarah Smith (Hyndburn) (Lab)
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Last week, my constituent Ellie, who is visually impaired, visited the local jobcentre, but as a full-time student seeking part-time work, she was belittled, spoken over and told that she could not get help because she was on PIP, not on UC. She left feeling devastated by that experience. Can the Secretary of State reassure me and Ellie that such an experience will become a thing of the past for people like her who are desperately seeking work?

Liz Kendall Portrait Liz Kendall
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That is absolutely my intention. I ask my hon. Friend to send me the details, because I will look into that personally.