Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Esther McVey and Liam Byrne

Monday 15th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Ms McVey]

I thank my hon. Friend for raising that point. I visited his constituency over the summer to see what terrific work his work coaches were doing. We will be implementing more work in outreach and developing our flexible fund to help more people.

[Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill) (Lab)]

Birmingham’s food banks have had their busiest year ever—70% of their demand is due to universal credit. Can I give the Secretary of State a choice? Either pause this crazy roll-out or come to Birmingham and help us to raise the tonne and a half of food we need each month to replenish the empty food bank stock.

The Secretary of State’s Handling of Universal Credit

Debate between Esther McVey and Liam Byrne

Wednesday 11th July 2018 Commons Chamber

[Ms McVey]

I will give way, but I think we just need a moment to reflect. This is about getting people into work, and that is precisely what we are doing.

[Liam Byrne (Birmingham, Hodge Hill) (Lab)]

The Secretary of State will remember that back in 2013 I warned that this was not a benefit that was ready for wide-scale roll-out. In my Birmingham constituency, we have the DWP telling my constituents that they cannot apply for housing credit through universal credit. They get sent to Birmingham City Council, which then sends them back to the DWP. There is still a level of chaos on the frontline that meant that one of my constituents told me that not only could they not afford to eat, she could not afford to put socks on her children’s feet.

[Ms McVey]

And this from the man who said there was no money left. But to be fair, he actually has some honour, because that was correct.

Before we go any further—