Oral Answers to Questions

Wendy Chamberlain Excerpts
Monday 16th December 2024

(2 days, 12 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Watch Debate Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Stephen Timms Portrait Sir Stephen Timms
- View Speech - Hansard - - - Excerpts

I can assure my hon. Friend that advances of up to 100% of potential universal credit entitlements are available urgently during the first assessment period of a claim, but she is right to raise concerns about the five-week wait. I commend to her the excellent report on this subject published by the Work and Pensions Committee in the last Parliament. The point she has raised is definitely one that we need to consider.

Wendy Chamberlain Portrait Wendy Chamberlain (North East Fife) (LD)
- View Speech - Hansard - -

Some of the farmers who work so hard to put food on our tables find it difficult to put food on the table themselves, and need additional Government support. That used to happen via tax credits, but the transition to universal credit has been hugely challenging for farmers, given the seasonal nature of their work. Will the Minister meet me to hear some of their concerns, so that we can incorporate those concerns into the Government’s review?