Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
What steps she is taking to ensure that her Department’s response to the covid-19 outbreak does not disadvantage women.
The government is committed to ensuring that the services and benefits it offers works for everyone including women, as we tackle the Covid 19 crisis. This Government has invested over £6.5bn in strengthening the safety net overall, including making changes to the benefits system to ensure claimants receive the support they need. Notably Universal Credit claimants, and people receiving Working Tax Credits, are receiving an increase in the standard rate of up to £1040 per year for the next 12 months, additional to the uprating announced in November 2019.
Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants have also been increased.