Oral Answers to Questions

Bill Esterson Excerpts

Monday 25th January 2021 Commons Chamber

[Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab)]

What steps her Department has taken to provide financial support to disabled people required to shield during the covid-19 lockdown announced in January 2021.

[Bill Esterson (Sefton Central) (Lab)]

What steps her Department has taken to provide financial support to disabled people who are required to shield during the national lockdown.

[Mr Virendra Sharma (Ealing, Southall) (Lab)]

What steps her Department has taken to provide financial support to disabled people who are required to shield during the national lockdown.

--- Later in debate ---

[Justin Tomlinson]

We have shown as a Government the support we are providing, including over £9 billion of extra welfare support. Those on legacy benefits will have benefited from the annual uprating. Depending on individual circumstances, if a claimant would be better on universal credit, they can look to transfer over.

[Bill Esterson [V]]

There are 2.2 million people who are having to shield. Many disabled people cannot work from home and do not qualify for furlough, and sick pay is only £95.85, which does not even come close to the definition of doing what it takes to look after people, which the Prime Minister tried to use on Thursday. May I push the Minister not to give the same tired answer about what he has done for other people but to answer the question that my hon. Friend the Member for Ellesmere Port and Neston (Justin Madders) has just asked? When are the Government going to give support to disabled people so that they can be protected and stay at home?

[Justin Tomlinson]

The level of statutory sick pay is just part of the safety net; people may also be eligible for new-style ESA or universal credit, and for those disabled people who are looking to work from home, we have extended the support that is available through Access to Work, allowing for people to have additional support for their needs or equipment. That is something that we will keep in place beyond covid.