"15. In 2015-16 in Wales, 22,000 households were eligible for homelessness assistance. In 2017, universal credit was introduced. By the time the roll-out finished in 2018, the figure was 28,000—a 30% increase. Will the Minister acknowledge the harm that universal credit has done in promoting homelessness in Wales? What immediate …..." Chris Ruane - View Speech
"Two hundred sufferers of motor neurone disease have been interviewed by the Department in the past 18 months alone. In addition to their physical disability, many will have mental ill health, which is increased by the stress and anxiety of the interviews. Some MND sufferers die within a year of …..." Chris Ruane - View Speech
"Until recently, my local authority, Denbighshire, had the highest levels of household debt in the whole country. People were forced into the arms of loan sharks, pawn shops and payday-loan usury. Will the Government’s decision to encourage universal credit recipients to apply for and accept Government loans increase or decrease …..." Chris Ruane - View Speech
"The national figure, as I understand it, is that only 6% of people have moved out of their properties and downsized into smaller ones...." Chris Ruane - View Speech
"I was born on a council estate and lived on one for 27 years. There, the council built new single-person bungalows for pensioners who were living in three-bedroom houses, locating them right next to that community, so that all their social ties were maintained. Is the answer to move people …..." Chris Ruane - View Speech
"The hon. Gentleman has catalogued many of the defects of the legislation. In retrospect, does he regret having voted for it?..." Chris Ruane - View Speech