Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the effect of universal credit on the number of children in households with less than 60 per cent of median income when roll-out is completed, excluding potential dynamic effects on employment and earnings.

The Prime Minister has set out clearly that she is committed to building a country that works for everyone – not just the privileged few. Tackling child poverty and disadvantage is a priority for this government.

We know that work is the best route out of poverty, and Universal Credit is designed to strengthen incentives for parents to move into and progress in work. Ignoring the impact that Universal Credit has on incentivising work and raising the incomes of families is inappropriate.

The impact of Universal Credit cannot be considered in isolation– it is a key component of a broader strategy to move Britain to a higher wage, lower welfare, lower tax society.