Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to improve the life chances of families in low-paid work.

The best route out of poverty is through work and this government has made substantial progress: both the employment rate at 74.6% and the percentage of children living in working households at 58.3% are at a record high. The Prime Minister has been clear that she is committed to building a country that works for everyone – not just the privileged few.

That is why this Government has made great efforts to help people into work, reforming the welfare system to make work pay and introducing Universal Credit to strengthen incentives for parents to move into and progress in work. Evidence shows that under Universal Credit claimants move into work significantly faster and stay in work longer than under the old system.

In addition, Universal Credit now provides for 85% of childcare costs giving parents the opportunity to work and earn more, so they can support their families and improve outcomes for their children. We have also announced a 2% reduction in the Universal Credit single taper meaning more support for hardworking families. Around 3 million families across the country will benefit from this change and a couple with two children earning £30,000 a year could benefit by £425 a year.