Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Field of Birkenhead Excerpts
Monday 9th October 2017

(6 years, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lord Field of Birkenhead Portrait Frank Field (Birkenhead) (Lab)
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Given the Secretary of State’s confidence in the roll-out of universal credit to another 150 Jobcentres Plus, can he give the House a guarantee that none of our constituents will face hunger or near destitution through lack of money over the Christmas period?

David Gauke Portrait Mr Gauke
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Universal credit is about ensuring that our constituents are in a stronger financial position. That is what we are trying to deliver by enabling them to work and providing the support they need. As I said earlier, if we look at where we want to get to by 2022, 8% of claimants are already on universal credit and by January it will be 10%. The process is gradual and measured, and that is enabling us to learn from the experience and make improvements, which we will continue to do all the time.