Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Pursglove and Priti Patel

Monday 13th November 2023 Commons Chamber

[Tom Pursglove]

I am not in a position to set out the outcome of recent work capability assessment consultation, but a key principle underpinning the test and trials that I touched on earlier is to take better account of fluctuating conditions, helping people to provide high-quality evidence as early as possible in the claim journey. We are spending a lot of time working with stakeholders to develop that work, and I would be very willing to have a conversation with the hon. Gentleman about that.

[Priti Patel (Witham) (Con)]

10. What steps his Department is taking to support people in Essex into employment.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Pursglove and Priti Patel

Wednesday 18th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

The hon. Gentleman is right to raise maternal health and protection for women, girls and children. We are working with the UN agencies, including the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, to make sure that child protection and the protection of women feature heavily in their work and at next week’s meeting. Officials are attending next week, and it is important to say that Britain has led the way in calling out these issues and providing resources to the agencies that are delivering on the ground so that they can protect women and children.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

We should rightly be proud of the enormous holistic contribution that the UK has made in responding to the Syria crisis, but what effort has been made in parallel? What credit does my right hon. Friend give to the charitable effort that has taken place and what has it achieved?

[Priti Patel]

My hon. Friend is right to make a point about the charitable contribution that has been made across the United Kingdom to all the aid efforts for Syrian refugees. There are many examples of that happening in which we have all been involved. The situation continues to deteriorate, and DFID and the Government continue to provide all the support that is needed. Through our aid match scheme, we are providing help directly to many of the charities, as well as contributing to the relief effort.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Pursglove and Priti Patel

Wednesday 12th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

The right hon. Gentleman is absolutely right, and I commend him for again raising the issue of Yemen, where the conflict is having a devastating impact and, of course, there is a cholera crisis. The Government are spending hundreds of millions on providing necessary life-saving support to the people who are engulfed by that awful conflict.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

12. What assess- ment has my right hon. Friend made of the remarkable voluntary charitable contribution made alongside the Government’s work to relieve the crisis in Syria? How does the Department help to facilitate that work?

[Priti Patel]

My hon. Friend is right to raise that point. UK aid is playing a significant part supporting Syria and the region—we are one of the largest donors—and many small charities are also involved. My hon. Friend the Member for Banbury (Victoria Prentis) has spoken about how UK charities are playing their part. The small charities challenge fund will help to facilitate more UK small charities to do more on international crisis and conflict.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Pursglove and Priti Patel

Wednesday 29th March 2017 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

The hon. Gentleman is absolutely right. The challenge that we have across sub-Saharan Africa is drought and the provision of water, and all the essentials that many of us take for granted. He is right that small charities play a crucial role in delivering that. That was why last week I announced the new small charities challenge fund, which will give small charities across the United Kingdom more of an opportunity to access DFID funds and support to go out there and deliver life-saving aid around the world.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

As we leave the European Union, does my right hon. Friend agree that we have a unique opportunity to help to eradicate extreme poverty through free trade opportunities?

[Priti Patel]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Today being a very significant day, he is right to raise this issue. We know through all our work that to move countries from aid dependency we have to give them economic empowerment and prosperity. Free trade is one aspect of that, along with the other work that we do on bringing commerce and new trading opportunities, but education as well, to countries around the world.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Pursglove and Priti Patel

Monday 14th March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

5. What support the Government are providing to redundant steel workers to help them get back into skilled work.

[The Minister for Employment (Priti Patel)]

The rapid response service delivers tailored support for individuals and communities affected by large-scale redundancies. This service was used to help steel workers affected by recent job losses at SSI in Redcar, and of course at Tata in Scunthorpe and Port Talbot.

[Tom Pursglove]

I thank the Minister for that answer. A few weeks ago we heard the very troubling news that 30 jobs were to be lost at Corby’s Tata site. What support has the Department provided, alongside others, to those 30 individuals and their families?

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Pursglove and Priti Patel

Monday 7th December 2015 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

The hon. Lady is right that this is obviously the time of year when there is more seasonal employment in the run-up to Christmas, but support is provided to continue employment after such seasons. Jobcentre Plus will be supporting those who may be in part-time jobs to secure longer-term jobs. I come back to the fundamental principle that it is better to be in work, and have the experience of being in work, so as to develop long-term career and employment opportunities afterwards.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

The opening of the new Primark warehouse at Islip will bring 1,000 new jobs to my area and help to reduce youth unemployment. Will the Minister join me in welcoming this jobs boost, and would she like to visit next year when it opens?

[Priti Patel]

I thank my hon. Friend for his very kind invitation. We are only getting these new jobs created because we have a secure and sound economy owing to our long-term economic plan. Importantly, employers such as Primark and many other retailers are creating great employment opportunities for our young people. I would be delighted to come to open the centre in his constituency with him next year.

DWP Data

Debate between Tom Pursglove and Priti Patel

Tuesday 21st July 2015 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

We will publish the data, and Opposition Members can then make their own judgment.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

Does my right hon. Friend agree that if inaccurate or rushed data were published, she would then be accused, including by Opposition Members, of gross carelessness, given the sensitivity of those data?

[Priti Patel]

My hon. Friend makes a valid point. It is hugely ironic to hear the remarks of Labour Members, whose Government never published any information or data in this area. We are expected to meet the high standards required for the official publication of statistics, and that is exactly what this Government will do.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tom Pursglove and Priti Patel

Monday 22nd June 2015 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

The hon. Gentleman has highlighted a constituency case, and I would be very happy to discuss it with him and look into the details.

[Tom Pursglove (Corby) (Con)]

This weekend I had a discussion about the difficulties that those suffering from mental health conditions face when trying to access support, specifically in relation to budgeting. What support is available, particularly in the most difficult cases?