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Andrew Bridgen – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Benefit Fraud

The parliamentary question asked by Andrew Bridgen, the Independent MP for North West Leicestershire, in the House of Commons on 6 March 2023.

Andrew Bridgen (North West Leicestershire) (Ind)

8. What steps his Department is taking to reduce benefit fraud. (903875)

The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Tom Pursglove)

We take all fraud very seriously and have a range of measures in place, supported by two tranches of additional investment totalling around £900 million, which will prevent a further £2.4 billion of loss by 2024-25. In May last year, we published “Fighting Fraud in the Welfare System”, which details our proposals for reducing fraud and error, including legislative change and closer working across Government.

Andrew Bridgen

I thank the Minister for that answer, but I have had numerous reports from constituents of alleged incidents of benefit fraud and what they perceive as a lack of action when they report them to the Department, so will the Minister inform the House by how many his Department plans to increase staff in the counter-fraud teams?

Tom Pursglove

I am very appreciative of my hon. Friend raising this point. It is fair to say that we are coming after those who commit benefit fraud: it is unfair on the taxpayer, it is wrong, and that message must go out in the strongest terms. That is being backed up by action, as we set out in the plan. For example, over the next five years, we will see 2,000 specialists dedicated to getting across 2 million universal credit cases. That is an important contribution to make sure that we bring this money back into the Department where it rightly belongs.

Several hon. Members rose—

Mr Speaker

Is Alyn Smith standing up?

Alyn Smith (Stirling) (SNP) indicated dissent.

Mr Speaker

No, but you did stand at the beginning. In that case, I call somebody who is always going to stand: Jim Shannon.

Jim Shannon (Strangford) (DUP)

Thank you, Mr Speaker. It is very important that all benefit fraud is taken on board, but many times in my constituency over the past few years, people have inadvertently filled in forms incorrectly and have found themselves having to pay money back. May I ask that compassion be shown to those who have inadvertently done wrong but realised they have to pay back, to ensure that they can pay back at a level they can afford?

Tom Pursglove

The hon. Gentleman is right to raise this point, and it is important to note that we work on a case-by-case basis. Of course, where there are instances of error of that kind, we work on an individual basis to work out a repayment plan that is appropriate for those individuals, taking into account any financial vulnerabilities or challenges they might face.

07/03/2023
NEWS STORY : Matt Hancock Denies Allegations of Blocking Disability Centre

STORY

Matt Hancock, the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, has denied allegations that he sought to block the construction of a disability centre in the constituency of James Daly, the Conservative MP for Bury North after he failed to support him in a Parliamentary vote. Daly said that he was “disappointed” to hear of the discussion on WhatsApp between Hancock and his political advisor, but had been unaware of the situation before the leak of the messages which have been published by the Daily Telegraph.

It is alleged that Hancock’s advisor, Allan Nixon, said:

“Thoughts on me suggesting to Chief’s spads that they give us a list of the 2019 intakes thinking of rebelling. Eg James wants his Learning Disability Hub in Bury – whips call him up and say Health team want to work with him to deliver this but that’ll be off the table if he rebels.”

It is alleged that Hancock replied “100%”, but Hancock said in a statement:

“What’s being accused here never happened, demonstrating the story is wrong, and showing why such a biased, partial approach to the evidence is a bad mistake, driven by those with a vested interest and an axe to grind”.

Sir Jake Berry, the former Chair of the Conservative Party, said:

“This is an absolute disgrace. Hancock should be dragged to the bar of the House of Commons first thing tomorrow morning to be questioned about this”.

RESOURCES

Comments Made by Jake Berry

Statement Made by Matt Hancock

News Story – Matt Hancock WhatsApp messages leaked

EXTERNAL NEWS LINKS

Telegraph News Story

07/03/2023
Matt Hancock – 2023 Statement on Allegations He Sought to Block a Disability Centre to Punish an MP

The statement made by Matt Hancock, the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on 7 March 2023.

What’s being accused here never happened, demonstrating the story is wrong, and showing why such a biased, partial approach to the evidence is a bad mistake, driven by those with a vested interest and an axe to grind.

The right place to consider everything about the pandemic objectively is in the public inquiry.

07/03/2023
Jake Berry – 2023 Comments on Matt Hancock Threatening to Block a Disability Centre to Punish an MP

The comments made on Twitter by Sir Jake Berry, the Conservative MP for Rossendale and Darwen, on 7 March 2023.

This is an absolute disgrace.

Hancock should be dragged to the bar of the House of Commons first thing tomorrow morning to be questioned on this.

07/03/2023
Cat Smith – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Single-parent Employment Levels

The parliamentary question asked by Cat Smith, the Labour MP for Lancaster and Fleetwood, in the House of Commons on 6 March 2023.

Cat Smith (Lancaster and Fleetwood) (Lab)

6. What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the fall in the level of single-parent employment between 2019 and 2022. (903873)

Mr Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi (Slough) (Lab)

15. What assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the fall in the level of single-parent employment between 2019 and 2022. (903882)

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mims Davies)

We are committed to helping parents to increase their income through work. We have cut the earnings taper on universal credit and increased work allowances, meaning that families are, on average, better off by £1,000 a year. Additionally, eligible parents can claim up to 85% of their childcare costs through UC, and further assistance is available through the flexible support fund, Jobcentre Plus and work coaches.

Cat Smith

On Friday, I visited my local citizens advice bureau at its new offices on George Street in Lancaster, where I heard at first hand of the challenges that single parents are having with the amount of the childcare element of universal credit being capped at the level set in 2005 and with its being paid in arrears. What steps has the Minister taken to ensure that benefits go up in line with the cost of childcare and to look at paying this element up front?

Mims Davies

I thank the hon. Lady for that question. The UC childcare element can be used to top up a claimant’s eligible free childcare hours if more hours are worked and more childcare is required. We also use the flexible support fund to support those up-front costs, as we heard earlier. However, I would like to take this opportunity to talk about employers; this is not solely about what the Government can do on our own to help lone parents. Job design, the opportunity to progress and flexible work are really important too, as is the opportunity to return and progress. We cannot do this on our own.

Mr Dhesi

It is alarming that last year the employment rate for single parents had the biggest annual fall on record, and it is all the more worrying because the single parent employment rate has been on an upward long-term trend since the mid-1990s. Surely the Minister would agree that the eligible cost limit on childcare in universal credit needs to be uprated to reflect the ground reality of today’s soaring childcare costs.

Mims Davies

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. Under this Government since 2010, we have seen a significant increase in lone parents in work, with the rate going up from 56.1% in 2010 to 65.5% in 2022. However, the reality—and I think he describes it—is that there are too many challenges for lone parents, and it is absolutely right that we look at this. As we have heard from the Secretary of State, we are hoping to hear more: the Chancellor is ever present in our minds. As a lone parent, I again make the plea to employers to help people come back to work, because we know it is more than just a pay packet; it is really important to see the whole of society represented in the labour market.

Mr Speaker

I call the shadow Minister.

Ms Karen Buck (Westminster North) (Lab)

Figures published today by the Centre for Progressive Policy show that the lack of affordable childcare prevented a quarter of parents of children under 10 from working more hours, with all the implications that has for family finances, but also for economic productivity. In fact, parental underemployment is estimated to cost this country over £20 billion. With expectations having been raised again this afternoon that next week’s Budget will do something about the cost of childcare, can the Minister tell us how long it will be before she expects the level of lone parent employment to rise again to where it was three years ago?

Mims Davies

I thank the hon. Lady for her question. I think we have some amazing childcare out there and some brilliant opportunities for lone parents, as I have described. It is important to let people know that, on universal credit, they can claim back 85%. It is better than legacy benefits, and they should please look at the benefits calculator on gov.uk and use the flexible support fund. We should also recognise that it is not right for everybody to go straight back to work—this needs to be individualised—and that we should support the lone parent and make sure they can get the skills and the opportunity to always be better off in work.

07/03/2023
Mick Whitley – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Economic Inactivity in Towns and Cities

The parliamentary question asked by Mick Whitley, the Labour MP for Birkenhead, in the House of Commons on 6 March 2023.

Mick Whitley (Birkenhead) (Lab)

4. What estimate he has made of levels of economic inactivity in towns and cities. (903871)

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mel Stride)

The Office for National Statistics regularly publishes statistics relating to estimates of local inactivity. I have been leading work across Government with a further piece on participation, and the Chancellor and I will shortly be setting out more details of our plans.

Mick Whitley

Some 2.5 million people are economically inactive as a result of long-term illness, and half a million have left the labour market due to ill health since 2019. Does the Secretary of State accept that tackling health inequalities and improving health outcomes in deprived communities such as Birkenhead is essential to achieving equitable economic growth? Can he inform the House what conversations he has had with colleagues across the Cabinet about the need for a holistic economic strategy that recognises that health and wealth are inextricably linked?

Mel Stride

It is important that we take into account the issues of poverty and regional variations to which the hon. Gentleman refers. They lie right at the heart of all the decisions we have taken. We have come forward in recent times with significant cost of living support measures. My hon. Friend the Member for Mid Sussex (Mims Davies) will be taking through the remaining stages of the Social Security (Additional Payments) (No. 2) Bill this very afternoon to address the people to whom the hon. Gentleman refers.

Ben Bradley (Mansfield) (Con)

I do not know whether my right hon. Friend saw my article in The Times a few weeks ago, but it discussed opportunities for towns, such as Mansfield, that have specific local requirements when it comes to tackling economic inactivity, the opportunities of building bespoke local schemes with local employers and training providers, and the opportunities from those relationships on a local level as part of a wider strategy within the region. What is his stance on devolving decision-making powers in this space down to local areas?

Mel Stride

My hon. Friend raises a significant and important point. There are areas, particularly around the Work and Health programme, where we have done exactly that. We are engaged in discussions, contingent upon or subsequent to the White Paper that the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities published on levelling up, and in particular with areas such as the west midlands and Greater Manchester, to make sure that we leverage the knowledge, know-how, expertise and all the resources they have at the local level to continue to bring people back into work.

Mr Speaker

I call the shadow Minister.

Alison McGovern (Wirral South) (Lab)

It is always a joy at Question Time to hear Labour MPs supporting Labour policy, but even more so to hear Conservative MPs supporting Labour’s policy of localising our efforts to get people back to work. On that, may I ask the Secretary of State something? I have been listening to what he has said, and I know that he will not pre-empt the details of the inactivity review, but can he just confirm that one of its objectives will be to rebalance our economy, particularly in this connection between health and labour supply?

Mel Stride

That is at the heart of our manifesto, Madam Deputy Speaker—[Interruption.] Sorry, Mr Speaker! Where did I get that from? It is a sign of the times. Right at the heart of our manifesto, and of the Government’s raison d’être, is the need to make sure that we level up communities across the United Kingdom. Of course, our action will take many forms, but one of them is most certainly the support that we will provide to make sure that, up and down the country, there is equality among those seeking work, and those who are economically inactive, and that they have the same opportunities.

07/03/2023
Patrick Grady – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Pensioner Poverty

The parliamentary question asked by Patrick Grady, the SNP MP for Glasgow North, in the House of Commons on 6 March 2023.

Patrick Grady (Glasgow North) (SNP)

2. What assessment he has made of the potential impact of increasing the state pension age on trends in the level of pensioner poverty. (903869)

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mel Stride)

My review of the state pension age is under way. The review will consider a wide range of evidence, including two independent reports, to assess whether the rules on pensionable age remain appropriate.

Patrick Grady

I hope that the evidence that the Secretary of State examines includes analysis by Age UK that 1.5 million pre-state pension age households have no savings at all. Age UK warns that accelerating the rise of the state pension age

“will condemn millions to a miserable and impoverished run up to retirement”.

Instead of risking that increase in pensioner poverty, should he not establish an independent pensions and savings commission to ensure that pension policies are fit for purpose and reflect the demographic needs of different parts of the United Kingdom?

Mel Stride

The two reports to which I have just referred are independent—from the Government Actuary’s Department, on matters such as life expectancy; and from Baroness Neville-Rolfe, on the metrics that should be taken into account in determining when the next increase in the state pension age should occur. We certainly take into account issues such as pensioner poverty, on which we have an excellent record. In fact, relative pensioner poverty before housing has halved since 1999, and there are 400,000 fewer pensioners in absolute poverty—that is before or after housing—compared with 2009-10.

Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)

Is it realistic to continue to expect people to spend a third of their lives on a pension?

Mel Stride

I have great respect for my right hon. Friend, but I am afraid that although he tempts me to answer that question, I cannot prejudge the decisions that I will take in the review.

07/03/2023
Simon Baynes – 2023 Parliamentary Question on Numbers Claiming Pension Credit

The parliamentary question asked by Simon Baynes, the Conservative MP for Clwyd South, in the House of Commons on 6 March 2023.

Simon Baynes (Clwyd South) (Con)

1. What steps his Department is taking to increase the number of eligible people claiming pension credit. (903868)

The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mel Stride)

My Department has carried out a comprehensive campaign of communication since April 2022 to promote pension credit. I am pleased to inform the House that the average number of pension credit applications is up 73% compared with this time last year.

Simon Baynes

I strongly backed my right hon. Friend’s campaign in December last year, particularly in my Clwyd South constituency. Will he give us a further assessment of how effective that campaign has been in Wales and across the rest of the UK?

Mel Stride

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the work that he has been doing in his constituency on this matter. I can inform him that for the week commencing 12 December, for example, there were 7,200 claims, which is a 177% increase compared with this time last year.

Andrew Gwynne (Denton and Reddish) (Lab)

This is not party political; we all want to make sure that pensioners in need get the help and support that they can get. The Secretary of State will understand, though, that in communities such as mine there are still too many pensioners eligible for pension credit who are not yet accessing it. Given the success of his campaign so far, what further will he do to ensure that the really hard-to-reach pensioners get the support that they deserve and need?

Mel Stride

I very much welcome the hon. Gentleman’s question and the non-partisan way in which he presented it. He is absolutely right; there must be no let-up in this matter. Two thirds of those we believe are eligible for pension credit receive it, but that means that one third do not. We cannot identify them precisely in advance, which is why communication is so important. We will write to 11,000 pensioners soon to tell them about the uprating and to stress the point about pension credit. From today, we are launching television advertisements to further that message.

Mr Speaker

I call the shadow Minister.

Matt Rodda (Reading East) (Lab)

The Government seem to be trying to pat themselves on the back after years of failure on pension credit. As we just heard, hundreds of thousands of pensioners are still missing out on a vital top-up benefit that is needed to get them through the cost of living crisis. Why has the Government’s response been so ineffective, and what on earth will the Government do about their dismal failure to help pensioners during their hour of need?

Mel Stride

I am very surprised to hear the hon. Gentleman pose that question, first, because of his party’s record on this matter when they were in government; and secondly, because of the clear progress that I have outlined to the House today and on previous occasions about the increase in take-up that the Government are securing.

07/03/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Consultation launched on new registration rules for all bird keepers in Great Britain [March 2023]
The press release issued by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 7 March 2023.

Defra to consult on registration rules for bird keepers in Great Britain.
- Views sought on new registration rules for all bird keepers in Great Britain.
- New rules would require all bird keepers to register their birds and update information annually.
- Proposal is part of government action to tackle avian influenza.
Proposals to require all poultry keepers to officially register their birds were launched by the government today (7 March) as part of efforts to tackle avian influenza.

The new rules would apply to all keepers, no matter how many birds they have. At present only those who keep 50 birds or more are required by law to do so. They would also be required to update their information on an annual basis.

By registering their birds with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), keepers will ensure they receive important updates such as any local avian influenza outbreaks and information on biosecurity rules to help protect their flocks from the threat of avian influenza.

This will enable the government to communicate with bird keepers quickly, to manage potential disease outbreaks, such as avian influenza, and limit the spread.

The new rules would cover owners of backyard flocks, birds of prey and pigeon fanciers, but would not affect pet birds kept entirely inside a domestic dwelling, such as a parrot or budgie kept in a cage indoors which never leaves the property other than to visit a vet or another short-term period.

In a joint statement the Chief Veterinary Officers from England, Scotland and Wales said:

“These proposals will enable us to have a full picture of the number and location of birds kept across Great Britain and make it easier to track and manage the spread of avian disease.

“This information will also help inform future risk assessments and maintain our commitment to continually building our extensive avian influenza research portfolio.”

British Poultry Council Chief Executive said:

“We welcome this consultation as a means of ensuring the GB poultry register is fit to support Government and industry efforts in mitigating the ongoing impacts of avian influenza. Registering your poultry is an effective way of monitoring and controlling the spread of disease to protect the national flock. We, as ever, urge all poultry keepers to remain vigilant for signs of avian influenza in their birds.”

The consultation proposals take forward the recommendation from the 2018 Dame Glenys Stacey Review and lessons identified from the 2021/2022 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 outbreak and previous HPAI outbreaks.

Bird keepers will need to provide information including their contact details, the location where birds are kept and details of the birds (species, number and what they are kept for).

A 12-week joint GB-wide consultation will run until 31 May.
07/03/2023
NEWS FROM 100 YEARS AGO : 7 March 1923

7 MARCH 1923

The Labour Party gained another Parliamentary seat, winning the by-election in Liverpool Edge Hill from the Unionist Party. The seat had been won by William Rutherford for the Unionists in 1922, with a majority of 4,666 over Labour’s Jack Hayes. In the by-election, Jack Hayes secured a majority of 1,050 over the Unionist candidate John Waller Hills. Following his defeat, Hills resigned from his role as the Financial Secretary to the Treasury which he had held since November 1922.

Wilhelm Cuno, the Chancellor of Germany, spoke in the Reichstag condemning the treatment of German officials in the Ruhr Valley by the French occupiers. He warned that the population of the Rhine and the Ruhr were now more determined than ever on resistance.

The death was announced of Sir Owen Thomas who had been the MP for Anglesey since 1918.

07/03/2023