Benefit Claimants Sanctions (Required Assessment) Bill

John Bercow Excerpts

Friday 2nd December 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mhairi Black]

rose—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I always listen with the keenest interest to the right hon. Gentleman. From now on, however, interventions should be brief, and I think that we have now treated adequately of the matter of South Thanet.

[Mhairi Black]

I note the right hon. Gentleman’s point of view. I invite him to come up and see Ferguslie Park, where he will see what real deprivation looks like.

--- Later in debate ---

[Angela Crawley (Lanark and Hamilton East) (SNP)]

Earlier in the week, I spoke in a debate on employment and support allowance and personal independence payments. More than 65% of decisions are overturned on appeal, which means that your Government’s system is broken. Over 80% of the claims affect women who are predominantly single parents. Your system—the Government’s system—is broken.

[Mr Speaker]

I have no system, so mine is not broken, but that of others might be or might not be.

[Mhairi Black]

My hon. Friend is right.