Universal Credit

Debate between David Gauke and Martin Whitfield

Thursday 23rd November 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

Absolutely. This will not be recoverable and will not reduce what people are entitled to under UC. This is additional support for people as they move over from housing benefit to UC, and I hope that it will have the support of the whole House.

[Martin Whitfield (East Lothian) (Lab)]

I acknowledge much in this statement. On citizens advice bureaux and local authorities and the indication of greater collaboration, I wonder whether the Secretary of State will confirm two things. The first is that additional funds will be available to the third party sector to help with this collaboration and advice. Secondly, has he looked at having implied consent, which would cut a huge amount of waiting time in respect of advice given?

[Mr Gauke]

There are confidentiality issues that we have to deal with. I am not going to get drawn on the funding today, but I will say that we do fund universal support, providing the support that my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green was talking about, which is helping to transform lives.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Gauke and Martin Whitfield

Monday 9th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for raising that point. We will certainly look at it and ensure that she has the opportunity to meet us to discuss it.

[Martin Whitfield (East Lothian) (Lab)]

East Lothian is a pilot area for universal credit, and the third sector—particularly the citizens advice bureau and East Lothian’s local authority welfare service—has kept universal credit going by supporting a very high percentage of applicants. Will the Minister confirm when there will be additional funding for the third sector, so that it can carry on supporting the DWP with universal credit?

[Mr Gauke]

We obviously continue to engage with the voluntary sector. I know what the CAB was campaigning for, but it did welcome what I said last week about advances; indeed, I am meeting the CAB later this week to further discuss how we can work together to deliver a very important welfare reform.

Jobcentre Plus: Closures

Debate between David Gauke and Martin Whitfield

Thursday 6th July 2017 Commons Chamber

[Mr Gauke]

On co-location, let me be clear that we are happy to work with other authorities, but signing on does have to take place on jobcentre premises. In terms of guarantees and so on, any Government Department has to look sensibly at its estate to ensure that it is deployed efficiently. As I say, we are in an environment where we are in fact increasing frontline staff, not reducing them.

[Martin Whitfield (East Lothian) (Lab)]

Given that the Joseph Rowntree Foundation used Glasgow as its study centre in its report on disconnected communities, and suggested very strongly that a well-distributed employment support network is vital, how have the cuts now being applied to Glasgow been objectively, evidentially based?

[Mr Gauke]

It will still be the case that of all the large cities in the United Kingdom, Glasgow, per head of population, will have more jobcentres than any other city.