Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Steve Rotheram and Iain Duncan Smith(9 years, 11 months ago)
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Mr Duncan Smith
The right hon. Gentleman went a long way round to get to his usual comment, but most of his facts are incorrect. Let us get the facts right on benefit processing. Each year, we provide £94 billion in working age benefits, and benefits have been paid in arrears for the last 25 years, so there is not an unusual delay. People are often confused about whether or not there is a delay. On benefit processing times, 93% are processed absolutely on time, which is up seven percentage points since Labour left office. The vast majority of the delays are pre-decisions awaiting additional evidence. Of course there is more we can do. I am looking at a report today, and I am going to be positive about ensuring that we can do other things. I can thus announce today that we are looking to new measures committing the Department to raising much more awareness, as was asked for, of the short-term benefit advances. We are doing that through websites, on posters and by providing information in jobcentres. We are testing that and hoping to roll it out at the beginning of the new year. We are also issuing fresh guidance to advisers to make sure that they constantly advise those at risk of the availability, should they need them, of interim payments.
Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)
11. What steps he has taken to accelerate the processing of personal independence payment applications.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Steve Rotheram and Iain Duncan Smith(10 years, 9 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Mr Duncan Smith
As has been made clear beyond this Chamber, we are looking at that matter at the moment, and we have been discussing it with a number of other European nations, the vast majority of which are clear and with us on the idea that freedom of movement should not result in an opportunity for people to take benefits from wherever they want and to pick and choose their benefit areas. We are looking at how we can come to an agreement on those time scales and limits.
Steve Rotheram (Liverpool, Walton) (Lab)
19. What his most recent estimate is of the number of people who will be claiming universal credit by April 2014.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Iain Duncan Smith)
Based on caseload projections, we expect more than 6,000 claimants from the pathfinders to be on universal credit in January.
Beyond the pathfinder scheme and in the live running of universal credit, we are also rolling out other components, such as the claimant commitment. Jobcentre Plus advisers have agreed around 120,000 JSA claimant commitments, rising by some 30,000 each week. That continues our progressive approach to date, enabling a safe and successful delivery.
Steve Rotheram
The Secretary of State has made a pig’s ear of the roll-out of universal credit. Does he agree with his colleague, the Minister for the Cabinet Office, who claimed that the mess was all his fault?
Mr Duncan Smith
Actually my right hon. Friend did not make that claim. If the hon. Gentleman had gone on with the quote, we would hear that he said:
“I’m a very strong supporter of what he is doing…and I’m absolutely confident that”
he is capable of implementing it.