Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Stephen Phillips and Iain Duncan Smith

Monday 18th October 2010 Commons Chamber

[Mr Duncan Smith]

We are not responsible for aircraft carriers, so I apologise for that!

[Stephen Phillips (Sleaford and North Hykeham) (Con)]

T9. My right hon. Friend would no doubt agree with me that the last Labour Administration presided over a system of welfare that trapped people in poverty and ignored devastatingly high levels of workless families in our country. Will he tell the House what he is going to do about it?

[Mr Duncan Smith]

My hon. Friend will know that we are planning to bring forward a White Paper on reform of the benefits system soon. As I alluded to earlier, one of the biggest problems is that the existing benefit system has become so complex, with so many different withdrawal rates and different tapers—some at gross, some at net levels—done through different Departments. By bringing all that together and simplifying the system by giving people basically one withdrawal rate, we should be able to allow them to understand what they will retain, while also ensuring that work always pays. That, I think, is in the interest of everyone in the House.