"It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship today, Mr Bayley, and I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Sedgefield (Phil Wilson) on securing the debate.
Like other hon. Members, over the past few months, I have been contacted by many of my constituents who simply do not …..." Gemma Doyle - View Speech
"I notice that the Minister gives a cautious response. Is it true that millions of pounds that we should be using to get young people into work are sitting unallocated and helping no one, because the Government cannot get employers on board with the youth contract?..." Gemma Doyle - View Speech
"I am grateful for the opportunity to speak in the debate, mainly because, since I was elected at the last election, I have been contacted every single week by constituents who are concerned about the Government’s plans to shake up the benefit system—the so-called welfare revolution—and about what it will …..." Gemma Doyle - View Speech
"I want work to pay for everyone and what the Government are doing means that it does not for some families, and that is the black-and-white truth.
In West Dunbartonshire 200 households are set to lose up to £4,000 a year as a result of the Government’s changes and, with …..." Gemma Doyle - View Speech
"Earlier, the Minister indicated that stage 2 factories such as the one in Clydebank in my constituency can expect no more support than stage 1 factories in finding a way forward to a sustainable future. Will she reconsider that position and put a taskforce into each of the stage 2 …..." Gemma Doyle - View Speech
"Is the Minister aware—I believe that she is—of the Blindcraft factory in Glasgow, which is a very successful supported employment workplace? Will she acknowledge that it is the business plan, not the business model, that is failing, as the management themselves acknowledged to her and me earlier this year?..." Gemma Doyle - View Speech
"The Minister is drawing to a conclusion, but I do not think that she has mentioned the issue of bonuses, which we discussed earlier this year. She promised to look at the scandalous practice of management still collecting millions of pounds in bonuses. Has she decided to take action on …..." Gemma Doyle - View Speech
"21. What the average length of time was for an appeal in respect of a decision on a claim for employment and support allowance in the latest period for which figures are available...." Gemma Doyle - View Speech
"I thank the Minister for his detailed answer. Will he take this opportunity to refute press reports that he will cut the ESA of people who appeal against assessment decisions, especially in the light of the information that 40% of cases are being won on appeal?..." Gemma Doyle - View Speech