Universal Credit

Debate between Esther McVey and Desmond Swayne

Monday 5th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Ms McVey]

The hon. Gentleman raises a good point. That is another thing we will looking at during the managed migration, as we expand the system and more people come on to universal credit—how many more people do we need in call centres; how many more work coaches?—because we will need the right number to give a good service.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

rose—

[Sir Desmond Swayne]

“The Government has listened to the frontline. These are significant improvements that will make a real difference.” Who said that?

[Ms McVey]

My right hon. Friend has just said it. I have heard many charities saying that this is positive news. The Department is listening and bringing in significant support for claimants.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Esther McVey and Desmond Swayne

Monday 2nd July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

What is the impact on housing association tenants?

[Ms McVey]

My right hon. Friend asks a rather open question but we have a landlord portal for housing association tenants. If people need their payments done automatically, they can have just that—if that is what he is referring to.

--- Later in debate ---

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Ms Esther McVey)]

Those who take an interest in disability issues will know about our Disability Confident scheme, which supports businesses to employ disabled people. We have launched the Disability Confident 100-day community challenge to get people across this House involved in supporting people in their local area. To date, in 24 hours, 23 MPs have become involved. I hope that the whole House will help disabled people in their area to get into work.

[Sir Desmond Swayne]

This is complicated, Mr Speaker, so stay with me. What can the Secretary of State do to ensure continuity of universal credit benefit entitlement for those people paid on the same day every month for whom, every now and again, two pay packets will fall into the assessment period?

Personal Independence Payment

Debate between Esther McVey and Desmond Swayne

Tuesday 23rd January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Ms McVey]

Again, we have to consider these key practical points. We are actively recruiting hundreds of staff for this at the moment.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

As for the comments from the United Nations, how do the figures that my right hon. Friend has given compare internationally?

[Ms McVey]

My right hon. Friend raises another good point. The UK is one of the most generous countries in the world when it comes to supporting its disabled people. In the G7, only Germany spends more. We spend what is deemed appropriate and available, which is more than £50 billion. I reiterate that we are one of the most generous countries in the world.

Private Sector Pensions

Debate between Esther McVey and Desmond Swayne

Monday 22nd January 2018 Commons Chamber

[Ms McVey]

We received 800 responses to the Green Paper. We want to learn from the people who know most about these matters what they think is the best way to tackle the problem, because obviously we do not want such things to happen again.

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

What impact would renationalisation below the market have on pension funds?

[Ms McVey]

It would be an absolute disaster.