Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Flynn Excerpts

Monday 29th June 2020 Commons Chamber

[John Nicolson (Ochil and South Perthshire) (SNP)]

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of universal credit on reducing poverty.

[Stephen Flynn (Aberdeen South) (SNP)]

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of universal credit on reducing poverty.

[Richard Thomson (Gordon) (SNP)]

What recent assessment she has made of the effectiveness of universal credit on reducing poverty.

--- Later in debate ---

[Stephen Flynn]

The Social Mobility Commission has highlighted that, in the last seven years, there has been “little or no action” by the UK Government on a third of its recommendations, including on ensuring that child poverty is not exacerbated by universal credit. Indeed, its damning report criticised DWP for failing to provide a detailed assessment of how benefit changes are tied to these poverty rates. On that basis, how can the Minister possibly know whether universal credit is increasing or decreasing poverty?

[Will Quince]

The statistics show that full-time work substantially reduces the chances of poverty. The absolute rate of poverty for a child where both parents work full time is 4% compared with 44% where one or more parents are in part-time work. We are supporting people into full-time work wherever possible, for example, through our childcare offer, and universal credit, where work always pays, is a fundamental part of that offer.