Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Will Quince and Tom Brake

Monday 7th October 2019 Commons Chamber

[Will Quince]

The simple answer to my right hon. Friend is yes, I am looking at ways in which we can do this. It is important to put this in context: UC replaces the outdated and complex benefits system, which too often stifled people’s potential, creating cliff edges at 16, 24 and 30 hours and punitive effective tax rates, of over 90% for some, punishing people for doing the right thing. UC seeks to take earnings into account in a way that is fair and transparent, and we want to preserve this simplicity as far as is possible.

[Tom Brake (Carshalton and Wallington) (LD)]

9. What steps she is taking to reduce the time taken for universal credit claimants to receive their first payment.