Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Hammond and Iain Duncan Smith

Monday 25th June 2012 Commons Chamber

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Duncan Smith)]

Early analysis shows that approximately half of participants are off benefit within 21 weeks of starting a work experience placement. I am delighted that, despite a campaign run by anarchists and members of the Labour party, just like hon. Gentlemen on the Benches opposite me, to try to blight the chances of these young people, employers continue to come forward to join this excellent scheme. Young people have overwhelmingly shown that they want this valuable experience by continuing to volunteer to do their part.

[Stephen Hammond]

It is good news that young people and people on work experience schemes come off them within 21 weeks. How does that compare with the new deal set up by the previous Government?

[Mr Duncan Smith]

It compares very favourably. First, it is better. Secondly, it costs a lot less. Labour paid huge sums of money up front, whereas we pay the jobseeker’s allowance. The key point is that not once has any Opposition Front-Bench Member got up to defend this work experience programme, which many of their colleagues attack and try to destroy.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Hammond and Iain Duncan Smith

Monday 22nd November 2010 Commons Chamber

[Stephen Hammond (Wimbledon) (Con)]

16. What assessment he has made of the likely contribution of the proposed universal credit to his Department’s objective of encouraging people to work.

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Duncan Smith)]

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I just gave.

[Stephen Hammond]

I listened carefully to my right hon. Friend’s previous answer. Given the benefits for so many of the introduction of the universal credit, what chance is there that the Government might be able to accelerate its introduction beyond the 2017 time scale currently announced?

[Mr Duncan Smith]

I will resist the temptation to accelerate anything. I simply say to my hon. Friend that the plan we have put in place allows us to spend the right amount of time making sure that we are integrating those on the current benefits correctly and that we are not making any mistakes. We do not plan to accelerate that, but clearly we hope that this process will go smoothly—we believe it will. That is the most important thing.