Universal Credit: Managed Migration Debate

Full Debate: Read Full Debate
Department: Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit: Managed Migration

Louise Ellman Excerpts
Tuesday 8th January 2019

(5 years, 3 months ago)

Commons Chamber
Read Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts

Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Alok Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

My hon. Friend raises an important point. During the test period, we will be testing a number of approaches to moving claimants on to universal credit safely and in the most effective way. This will include testing a non-mandatory approach, where claimants will be invited to go through the process. We will be testing claimants on all benefits and in a range of circumstances to make sure that we move all claimants on to universal credit safely.

Louise Ellman Portrait Dame Louise Ellman (Liverpool, Riverside) (Lab/Co-op)
- Hansard - -

The reality for many people in my constituency is that universal credit is plunging them deeper into poverty. What specifically will the Minister do about this, and when?

Alok Sharma Portrait Alok Sharma
- Hansard - - - Excerpts

I visited Liverpool last year and talked to colleagues in jobcentres who told me that universal credit was working well, that they supported it and that it enabled them to offer help. The hon. Lady talks about providing support for individuals. The best support we can provide is helping them to get into work, and that is what is happening under universal credit.