Live Work and Pensions Questions House of Commons

Murray on winning the ATP World Tour finals last night in London and

finishing the year as the world's men's singles No 1. Mr Henry Smith.

The Secretary of State. The microphone's off! I think it the

microphone is defective! But the honourable gentleman has never been

knowingly unheard! Nor should he be. With permission! The other thing is

shouting into a microphone. I will answer question one and 7 together.

There are more older people in employment than ever, but we know

there is more to do. We appointed Andy Briggs as business champion for

older workers to promote the benefits they bring to employers.

Thank you Mr Speaker, I'm grateful to my honourable friend for that

answer. What mortis Government doing to build on the fuller work life

strategy? He is right to point out the importance of fuller working

lives strategy and indeed we will be publishing a new strategy in the new

year to build on the success of the fuller working lives strategy, which

will set out its future direction. I'm particularly keen that it should

be led by employers, because I think employers are the best people to

persuade other employers of the benefits of employing older workers

and both for Thame ployers and individuals and also in particular

for the public sector. Many older workers have caring

responsibilities, which can make it hard for them to remain in work or

to return to work. What is he doing to encourage ployers to work with --

employers to work with these employees. I agree that these

employees are often particularly responsible and have particularly

needs if they have caring responsibilities so, that is why the

Government reck Northern Isleses the -- recognises the benefits of

flexible working and extended the right to request flexible working.

We have also introduced older claimant champions in job centres to

help highlight the benefits of employing older workers and indeed I

have mentioned avia already in the context of Andy Briggs, they're

launching a scheme to support carers this Friday and I hope other

companies will follow their example. Minister committed to an annual

report. When will the first annual report be published? Yes, it does.

We will be publishing one next year and I'm happy to report in the

interim to the honourable gentleman that there are more older people in

employment than ever. There are 9.8 million workers aged 50 plus in the

UK. That is an increase of 1.5 million. That is one of the

strengths of our labour market. Isn't it true there has been a

relative te Clyne in the proportion of -- decline in the proportion of

older women in employment. Is that just the increase in the pension

age, or because the government isn't providing the support for carers and

other things which enable older women to work? No, I'm afraid I

can't agree with the honourable lady, currently there are just over

4.05 million women aged 50 to 64 in employment, compared to three and

half million five years ago and it has gone from below 60% to more Nan

65%. So the benefits of work for older people are being applied to

women as well and that of course gives them much more control over

their lives. In relation to the question about carers it is seven

months since the minimum wage was increased, but the income threshold

for carers allowance has not risen. Will the Secretary of State act to

rise it by ?5 a week to ensure carers are not forced to cut their

hours, because they're caught up in their loophole? In relation to older

workers. Carers allowance applies to more than older workers. But the

honourable lady will be aware Nat carers allowance was increased

significantly in recent times. And obviously we keep all benefits under

review. Older employees bring many benefits to employer, including

turning up on time and taking pride in their appearance and passing on

experience. While we have national recognition schemes for inno vagus

and export -- innovation and exports has he thought of a scheme for

employers who employ a large number of older work sners My honourable

friend makes an innovative and good point. We do work with employers to

see what is the best form of recognition of employers who are

particularly good with older workers and ensuring they can carry on in

the workforce. But I will certainly consider his suggestion. No 2. Many

people aspire to be their own boss and while most of the growth in

employment has been in employment, there are 4.7 million self-employed

people accounting for approximately 15% of everyone in work. I'm

grateful to the minister, but not wist standing what me said, there is

an issue of self-employment. Trading have been at the forefront of

exposing such practices. Will he work with trade unions as part of

Taylor review? Of course, the majority of people in several

employment that does not apply. But the growth of atypical employment is

behind the Prime Minister saying there will be a review to look at a

range of things. It will look at rights, responsibility, training and

so on. I'm glad we are doing so much to help the self-employed get into

business. But so many of them are on the legacy system, in terms of

support rather than universal credit. What are we doing for them?

He makes a good point and we are launching a test of face to face on

voluntary basis for several employed people in -- self-employed people in

receipt of tax credits. Ordering presents online is a normal part of

Christmas, but there has been reports of delivery drivers classed

as self-employed working dangerously long hours. They make a vital

contribution, will he commit to making Labour's five tests for

social security for self-employed? Mr Speaker, I join with her in

recognising it is necessary to look at these issues, of course national

living wage enforcement is important and that is why we have raised the

budget and the maximum penalty. On the dech in additions of --

definitions of self-employment, there are variation of definition,

but the review is looking at some of those issues to make sure the

appropriate protections are in place and enable more people to avail

themselves of opportunities in the new economy. What is he doing to

help disabled people into self-employment? He makes a very

good point. There are more disabled people who want to get into work.

I'm pleased to say that on the NEA, the enterprise allowance scheme, a

fifth of people are people with a disability. No 3. I would answer

questions three, 15 and 18 together. We already support employers through

a disability confidence scheme, access to work after the fit for

work service. The green paper consultation will provide further

insight into how we help employers. What advice can my honourable friend

offer to people like my constituent who is deaf, so struggles to speak

on the telephone and worked to obtain a degree, yet he is

struggling to find employment in the financial sector. I thank the

honourable gentleman for his question. A lot of our bespoke

expertise lies in partner organisations. If he would contact

the work coach at the north Hampton job centre she can arrange a meeting

with somebody to get placements in the financial services sector,

particular with Nationwide who are based in that area. Following

successful disability confident events we launched the small

employer offer to signpost new employers to take advantage of the

talent overlooked. Will the minister update the House on the progress of

this pilot? As part of the small employer offer we are going to

introduce over a hundred employment advisors to small employers and the

feedback we have had is that it is very welcome in particular for

organisations which do not have their own HR departments.

Recalling those happy days when my honourable friend was training for

her diving competition in the Southend, will she join me in

congratulating Southend adult community college and Poundland for

leading the way in employing disabled people in Southend? I am

familiar not only with the diving boards at Southend but also with

this excellent college. I think they have done many things well,

including understanding that the built environment has a huge impact,

positive impact to play in ensuring that people with profound and

multiple physical and learning disabilities can achieve their full

potential. Thank you Mr Speaker. Very many individuals who previously

received Disability Living Allowance are now receiving personal

independence payments are being prevented from travelling to work

because mobility vehicles are being taken away because they don't

qualify for higher rate mobility. This is a serious issue for people

who are working, want to work and for whom the Government are making

things more difficult. What's she going to do about it? I thank the

honourable gentleman for his question. Would point out that more

people have access to mobility than br. I do understand the problems

that the honourable gentleman raises and we are looking at this in the

department. Can I also put on record congratulations to Andy Murray on

his magnificent achievement. Also congratulate his brother Jamie

Murray who will end the year as doubles world number one. What

Scotland lacks for football prowess we more than make up for in tennis.

Mr Speaker, last week members on all sides of this House made it clear to

ministers that cutting ESA in the world related activity group by

nearly ?30 a week with corresponding cuts to universal credit is not

acceptable, yet the Government is still consulting on the green paper

and doesn't have adequate support in place. Has the minister discussed

the outcome of the debate with the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn

Statement and impressed on him the need to postpone these punitive

cuts? I would point out to the honourable lady the support that

needs to be in place for those members of the rag group will be in

place. I gave that in detail when that would be in place before those

new claims come online. I must stress that as well as enabling

people to endure and cope with a particular situation and the costs

of living associated with it, we also have an obligation to help them

get out this afternoon situation. I have given assurances to this House

that we will do both. Mr Speaker, the loss of the limited capability

for work element of universal credit will mean that thousands of working

disabled people will be around ?1500 a year worse off. Does the minister

think that slashing the incomes of working disabled people sends the

right message about the Government's commitment to those who are just

about managing? We are spending more money on disability benefits and we

are doing more in terms of support. So I don't recognise the position

that the honourable lady outlines. The evidence is clear that work can

be good for your health, and particularly your mental health.

Does she agree that the Government should work with GPs and mental

health professionals to help people to get back into work as son as

possible after leaving employment? Yes, I do agree with what the

honourable gentleman says, which is why we have brought forward a green

paper. We will be consulting on that until February. Meantime, where we

can make progress and also foster those local connections and

relationships between employment support, between health care

professionals and other that's these individuals will need support from,

we should do that and the flexible support fund which goes live in

December, we'll do that. I would also like to offer my

congratulations on behalf of Labour to Andy Murray. Mr Speaker, the

prospect of a further ?1500 a year cut in support to sick and disabled

people found not fit for work on top of the previous ?28 billion of cuts

fills many with dread. Why is the Secretary of State touting the

propaganda that this cut will incentivise disabled people to find

work, when his own department's research says the opposite. And will

he listen to MPs on all sides of the House unanimously rejected his

policy last Thursday and stop the cut in the Autumn Statement? Well,

as I pointed out at length, we will mitigate the financial cut to the

group through a number of measures, the flexible support fund, helping

with costs directly related to work. But also through other measures with

costs that are not directly related to getting into work. But I stated

that the, to the honourable lady on several occasions in the last week

that we have to do both these things. We need to ensure someone's

liquidity and their financial resilience, but we must also ensure

that they have the support that we will need so we are not going to

pause that support when it comes in in April.

Number four Mr Speaker. With your permission I will answer

questions four five and 11 together. The Government will not be

introducing further transitional protection beyond the 1. 1 billion

already in place. Going further could not be justified given the

underlying imperative must be to focus public resources on those most

in need. That's a very disappointing response from the minister. There's

10,000 waspy women in hull, with 4,100 names Hull had the largest

petition presented to this House last month. Labour has suggested

changes to pension credit which would be financed by clawing

backhandouts. Isn't it time the Government realised that these

Willoughby not go away until they get a fair deal. As the honourable

lady's mentioned, Labour proposed use the pension credit as a

transition mechanism for helping these women. This wa discussed

extensively. It was decided that 1. ?1.1 billion alternatively would be

used as transition relief. From the minister's response, it's quite

obvious he's going to be fed up of this question. As long as I have got

women like my constituent who comes to me and say at 60, I've worked all

my life, but my body's telling me I can't do it any more. Without a

pension, when will this Government do the honourable thing and start

looking after the waspy women? The cost of reversing the changes varies

depending on who one asks, Mr Speaker. The different political

routes have come up with different amounts, which actually vary between

7 billion and ?30 billion. Quite apart from the substantial practical

problem such as risk of legal challenge, deliverability and all

the problems associated with such options. Thank you, Mr Speaker. I

recently spoke to a constituent who was working in a care home, who's

incredibly distressed at the thought of having to work another seven

years in what is an increasingly physically demanding job. Especially

after having made her retirement plans to look after her daughter's

children so that her daughter could go back to work. What assessment has

his department made of the implications not only for the women

affected but for their families too? Well, as the honourable lady has

implied, the department has considered this long and hard. The

current average age of exit from the Labour Party for women is 63. 1,

well above the previous's women SPA of 60. I just wanted to make it

clear, it's not just on that side of the House that there are concerns

about this. Of course, we don't know what the Autumn Statement will say

tomorrow. But I do think we ought to at least keep options open to look

at this, because it's not very satisfactory the current state of

affairs. As my honourable friend knows,

public finance is very complicated. I know he intends to wait until

Wednesday to hear what the Chancellor has to say. I can tell

him that this has been looked at long and hard. Transitional

arrangements of 1. ?1.1 billion have been put in place and the state

pension age was discussed and enacted in 1995 to change. There's

been further acts of Parliament and all this has been extensively

discussed. I understand that reverting to the 1995 state pension

time table would cost something in the region of ?39 billion. Does the

minister agree with me, it's easy to criticise the Government over this

policy, but more difficult to explain where the money would come

from for policy change? I think my honourable friend for that question,

I totally agree with him. Mr Speaker, does my honourable friend

agree with me that the difficulty with the labour proposal on pension

credit is that that is actually not what is sought by the WASPI

campaign. What is sought by them goes back to the 1995 act would

almost certainly be illegal under the rules of fair progress for both

sexes on pensions and would cost an absolute fortune. I thank my

honourable friend for that question. I totally agree with him. Someone of

the honourable gentleman on the other side was shouting "Tell that

to the destitute". We have a very good benefits system in this

country. Those destitute I'm sure are very familiar with that. The

minister's made it clear that the Government won't act to further help

those affected by the ill-managed change to people's pension age. Can

he tell us if he or the Secretary of State have had any discussions with

the Chancellor ahead of the Autumn Statement about potential additional

help for those most affected? I can, as the honourable gentleman knows, I

can do no better than repeat that the transitional arrangements have

taken place. The Government policy is very clear. I would not like him

to think or believe there's going to be any change in this. Clearly there

haven't been discussions with the Chancellor ahead of it. The

Westminster debate on the issue heard that many people have been

left destitute, are left in poverty who care for elderly benefits, who

may be unwell enough not enough to qualify for help. The Government has

rejected Labour's first step proposal for the extension of

pension credit to both women and men, who have been denied their

state pension for years to come. Can I ask the minister to think again,

assuming his hands are tied by the Chancellor and by the Prime

Minister, will he set up a dedicated pro-active help line for those

affected, so they can access the Social Security benefits he says are

sufficient to meet their needs? As the honourable gentleman's aware,

there's a very good benefits system in this country and people are well

aware in every area how to achieve that. There are Jobcentre Pluses,

there's lots of help in every local area. If honourable members or right

honourable members wish to write to me about individual constituents, as

they do, I'm happy to refer them to the places in their area. Number

eight Mr Speaker. With permission Mr Speaker, I'll answer questions 8, 12

and 16 together. I'm happy to confirm I work closely with my right

honourable friend the Chancellor and the honourable gentleman will not be

surprised to know I will not be pre-empting what he will be saying

in his statement to the House on Wednesday. That's a shame, Mr

Speaker. The foundation has suggested that the best way to help

the just managing households would be to scrap universal credit. Does

the Secretary of State agrow that on Wednesday, this Government need to

move beyond the sound bites and reverse these cuts before working

families pay the price? I don't agree with the honourable gentleman

about that, because he will be aware of the tremendous successes we've

achieved in getting people into work. We have employment at historic

high rates and also, very specifically that because of the

introduction of the living wage, the latest ONS data show that the group

whose pay is going up the most by over 6% last year are the lowest

paid workers. I think that's the system working exactly as it should

do. The Institute of Fiscal Studies has

shown with the fall in the pound since the Brexit vote, prices are

being pushed up about 2. 6%. This means that we could have a rise in

inflation that would coincide with this Government's benefit freeze,

adding more pressure to low income families. Does the minister not

agree with me that in view of this situation we should actually get rid

of the benefit freeze in the Autumn Statement? Well, I'm sure we're

going to get a list of bids from those benches. As I say, it is not

for me to pre-empt my right honourable friend the Chancellor's

Autumn Statement. I would repeat to the honourable lady what I've just

said to her honourable friend, that the purpose of the various benefit

changes and indeed the whole benefits system is to enable people

to get into work, so that they cannot only earn more money but

actually take better control over their own lives. In that, the system

is working historically well. We've got more people in work, more women

in work, fewer children growing up in workless households than ever

before. That is a huge achievement. Despite anurns there is would be no

-- assurance there would be no more austerity cuts, from April any

family with a third child will not benefit from child tax credit. Does

the minister agree that to protect just managing families, this would

be abandoned. No, I can repeat what the Chancellor was saying over the

weekend, that this House has voted previously for certain benefit cuts,

but we are not looking for any new benefit cuts in this Parliament. But

Parliament has decided on the various measures, including the one

he has just spoken about and we will be carrying those through. Many of

those family who struggle to get by don't receive any welfare payments

at all and so we shouldn't fall into the trap as seeing this as justified

by the benefit system. But does he agree there is a case for sitting

down with the Chancellor to what we can to to help families who struggle

to get by? I agree with my honourable friend that he, he is

right when he says that this is not purely about the payment of

benefits. It is about having a system that enables people and

supports people to get into work or back into work and to make progress

in work when they're in work. And that is is the thrust for example of

the work and health green paper which is designed for that

particular group, those who have a disability or a long-term health

problem, who have found it difficult find work. To find ways of helping

they can so they can enjoy the wider success of the modern labour market.

Since 2000 v 2010, unployment in my area is down by over half. We have

seen falls in youth unemployment and we have record private investments

that will bring new jobs. So as well as making sure the support is in

place, will he call on the Chancellor for more of the same when

it comes to job opportunities? I will. I agree, and I'm delighted to

hear my honourable friend's constituency is showing so fully in

the benefits of the more flexible and dynamic labour market we have

created over the past few years. I'm sure he has found, as people all

over the country have, for many people, work is the best route out

of poverty and they are benefitting from what has been done and I assure

him we will continue to do that. The resolution foundation has estimated

that a single parent with one child under the age of four working

full-time on the minimum wage will be up to ?3,6 hundred worse off a

year by 20/20 does the Secretary of State think these change rss fair or

will he be urging the Chancellor to reverse the cuts in the autumn

statement? I do think changes are fair. And I think a lot of problem

with the various pieces of analysis that have been produced by a number

of think-tanks are they don't assess the effects of actually getting more

people into work. And that all, or as I have made clear, progressing in

work when they're in work. That, both of those acts help people with

their family incomes and that I think is the way to give people more

long-term security and ensure they don't just get out of poverty, they

stay out of poverty as well. The Government's flagship universal

credit programme has been in trouble, undermining the principle

of always making work pay more than social security. Two and half

million people in low paid will be on average over ?2,000 a year worse

off as a result of the government's cuts, how can the Secretary of State

justify Miz mantra that -- his mantra that work is done the route

out of poverty when there are 7 million families in above. The why

won't he honour his pledge to make work pay and reverse the cuts.

Universal credit does make work pay, we remember the cliff edges people

had, where they went over 16 hours a work they had to decide whether they

would better off in work or on benefits. That is a terrible choice

to put before someone. And the whoil point of universal credit is that

work always pay and people know if they go into work they will always

get a benefit. I think if the the honourable lady doesn't accept that,

then I'm afraid she and I just fundamentally disagree about the

fact that work is the best route out of poverty and she appears to be

denying that fact. No 9. Last week we announced the

remaineders der of universal credit. It is now being delivered in every

job centre and local authority with over 400,000 claimants now receiving

it. Thank you. Given on universal credit you're more likely to be

employed to work more and to earn more than on JSA, can the Secretary

of State confirm in terms of mechanics of progress on the roll

out that the test and learn approach is enabling difficulties to be

quickly identified and resolved so that it can be delivered very

smoothly? I think my honourable friend is right to point out the

technical aspects of roll out, because we have always been clear

that an undertaking of this size and scale would be bound to meet

obstacles. That is why we adopted the test and learn approach that he

has mentioned. And I'm glad to report that it has worked. We have

listened to issues raised by our staff, by officials and claim mants

and others and we now have a solid foundation, universal credit has

delivered in every job centre and local authority area and we have

over 400,000 people receiving it. 25th novice UN international day to

end violence to women. Problems can be caused to women or men in an

abusive relationship and it could exacerbate the difficulties. Will

the minister consider automatically splitting payments? Automatically

splitting payments would introduce many technical difficulties so that

might cause more problems than it solved. But in individual instances

it is possible to split the payments to meet the problem she identified

and others. But I think doing it automatically would probably not be

krabgtical. -- practical. If the honourable gentleman can overcome

his national shyness. Vulnerable people in supported housing stand to

benefit from universal credit if it is done right. When I went to visit

a Salvation Army centre there was concern there would be support in

place to make sure people best spend the money they now have their own

control over, could the Secretary of State say what support will be

available? Yes, I take this opportunity to pay tribute to work

of Salvation Army in his constituency and I know in mine,

where they have celebrated their 125th anniversary. That is why we

have developed a personal budgeting strategy to ensure that claimants

have access to money advice, for the transition to universal credit. And

indeed there will be a small minority that may need alternative

arrangements that. Particularly in the housing sphere is a necessary

part of flexibility that we can have with universal credit so a minority

are helped to do so. I am dealing with a universal credit case whereby

a constituent has been left near destitute. The DWP have alleged he

is not a English citizen. Will the minister meet with me to discuss

this case to stop this happening to anyone else as universal credit is

rolled out I'm always happy to meet the honourable lady to discuss

individual cases if she wants. Or if she wants to write me. I will ensure

it is dealt with as quickly as possible. Thank you the Government

is committed to the creation of jobs and making work pay. We know that

work is the best route of poverty and that is why our welfare reforms

are focussed on supporting people into work. Interesting if it doesn't

necessarily address the question I asked. The Institute for Fiscal

Studies last week highlighted the impact that weakersterling will have

on the cost of benefits, clothing and food, they estimate inflation

could be 2.7%. These are circumstances that were not known

and not anticipated at the time when the decision was made to freeze

benefits. Should they not themselves be the catalyst for a wre view of

that decision? I thank the honourable gentleman for that

question. He will of course be aware that last month inflation was down.

What is important is we support people who can work into jobs and

into better jobs. That is the premise behind universal credit.

Getting people into work lifts them out of poverty and our reforms

including increasing the national minimum wage, cutting income tax and

the roll out of universal credit. Job centre plus district managers

have discretion to work with food banks in areas where the banks are

willing to work with them. As part of wider outreach programme. In just

six months the Trussell trust has provided more than 2,000 children in

Bristol with food parcels. Will the minister agree to the Trussell

trust's request to provide a job centre plus hotline for food bank

volunteers? Well, first I should say that 90% of out of work benefits are

paid on time and we strive to make that better. On the question of is

the job centre plus network willing to work with food banks, there is

discretion do that. Where the food bank is also happy to do so and

there are plenty of examples of that in term of signposting and having

work coaches go to food banks. Question 14. Our policy is designed

by service user panels, provision is monitored and measured by

independent audit and the providers is held to account through the

account we have. Citizen's Advice and Mind said in March that private

contractor assessors were failing claim avnts with mental health

issues. What progress has been made in recruiting mental health nurses

by providers to ensure that claimants get the support they need?

We have introduced a number of new measures, which include improved

training, additional recruitment, but also to ensure that we can

monitor to ensure that those doing astessmentes -- assessments are

referring o' into mental health services in they feel that is

required. A 14-year-old Olivier cares for her mother, with multiple

sclerosis. There is uncertainty, where no one is able to work or care

for her mother. Would my honourable friend applaud young carers and in

light of the proposed end to assessments, if she would consider

extending this to people who rely on children to care for them until such

time as they finish education. I certainly pay tribute to Olivia

and thousands like her who do a physically demanding and emotionally

demanding job for their loved ones. What I would say to him is that I do

recognise the principle. We've made changes to ESA reassessments. And

the green paper affords us the opportunity to look at how that

principle could be applied to PIP. What I would say to him is that it

may be in his constituent's advantage to have further PIP

assessments as her needs may actually increase, but there is an

opportunity to have a much more streamlined process that I hope the

green paper will deliver. Does the minister realise how wildly wrong

some of these assessments can be. I had a constituent with cerebral

palsy, told he would get no mobility component, risked losing his car and

hence the ability to work. Are there any financial sanctions imposed on

the contractor for getting such assessments wildly wrong and

threatening people's jobs? Well, her question is in relation to PIP, but

we have also introduced other ways we can measure a contractor's

performance including use of clinical data. What I would say to

her though, is that whether it's PIP or ESA, what we need to ensure is

that the evidence that we need to make those judgments is submitted

early in the process. We have been doing work to ensure that happens.

It is improving things considerably. Number 20 Mr Speaker. Thank you Mr

Speaker. In his written ministerial statement to the House of Commons on

15th September my right honourable friend the Secretary of State

confirmed that from 2019/20 we will be introducing a new funding model

for supported housing. I can confirm that today the department for work

and pension as long the with the Department for Communities and Local

Government will public a consultation document with the

details to underpin the model and the evidence review of supported

housing in Great Britain. One in five people affected by severe

mental illness rely on supported housing. What discussions has the

minister had with the Department of Health with the effect the policy

changes have had on those suffering changes have had on those suffering

with mental illness? Not only with other Government departments but

with the supported housing sector myself and colleagues have been

talking extensively not just since the 15th September but now that

consultation document is published, those conversations will be going

forward. Thank you Mr Speaker. Well, automatic enrolment will give about

11 million people the opportunity to save in a work place pension scheme.

All of that must meet qualifying criteria and minimum requirements.

Just under seven million people have been enrolled by more than 293,000

employers. It's welcome that more people are joining pension schemes,

but given that the pension regulator has issued 3,700 penalty notices in

the quarter to September, up from 861, doesn't this suggest that

perhaps getting a bit too cumbersome on small businesses? The vast

majority of small employers are meeting their automatic enrolment

duties on time and without the need for any enforcement action. The

regulator has issued more fixed penalty notices this quarter, that's

perfectly true as my honourable friend pointed out. But it's

proportionate to the number of employers now implementing automatic

enrolment. THE SPEAKER: Topical questions.

Number one, Sir. Mr Speaker, since my appointment as Secretary of State

I've been determined to look at the benefits processes we have to ensure

they're working in a fair and proper way. As part of that ongoing work,

I've announced an extension to the group's who can access hardship

payments immediately following a sanction. Those groups now include

someone with a mental health condition and homeless people. This

change will help ensure sanctions do not discourage those vulnerable

groups from engaging fully with the welfare system. We have a system

that's fair, protects of most vulnerable and supports people into

work. I welcome what my right honourable friend has said to the

House. But turning to the new figures from the office Office of

National Statistics which show an increase of 590,000 disabled people

in employment over the last three years, I am particularly pleased

that these figures show that my local authority areas of Basingstoke

and Dean have rates of 16. 3 and 14% above the national average. Would my

right honourable friend join me in welcoming those figures. Can he

assure me that this Government will commit to building on this success

by continuing to reduce the disability employment gap? I'm

grateful to my honourable friend and delighted to hear about the figures

in his own area, which are reflecting, as he says, a national

move where we are narrowing the disability employment gap by 2. 3%

over the past year. There is still an enormous amount more to do, which

is why we've produced the green paper jointly with the Department of

Health. But this an absolutely central task for this department

over the next three years and we will pursue it with as much vigour

as we can. New criteria for PIP means that there's been a reduction

in unaided walking criteria from 50 metres to 20 metres to qualify for

the Motability scheme. Three of my constituents originally failed under

the new criteria and were threatened that a car would be removed if they

couldn't pay for it themselves. They won on appeal, like 60% of apelants.

Would the minister maintain the payments during the appeal process

and re-instating the crow tiara for 50 metres? I would say two things,

first of all that particular criteria that I'm very aware of is

not the sole criteria. Many other factors are taken into account.

There is more I wish to do on Motability. We are looking at this

whole area very closely. I continue to work with small

businesses across my constituency of Cardiff north while automatic

enrolment is rolled out. I was heartened by the report last week

which showed that 22 to 29-year-olds especially are now massive boost in

coverage of pensions. Can I ask the Government what it's doing to ensure

that everyone in my constituency in Cardiff north and the United Kingdom

has the opportunity of saving for a good quality work place pension? I

thank my honourable friend for the question. I can reiterate the fact

that plans to expand autoenrolment are taking place and hundreds of

thousands of people are signing up for it. So there's been a

significant improvement in that. And in terms of self-employed people and

other people that are not within the scheme, we are having a review next

year, 2017 review into automatic enrolment. That's just the sort of

thing we should be looking at. Given the department promised to increase

the number of people supported by access to work, account minister

tell us why there are fewer people in receipt of access to work than

there were in the last year of the last Labour Government? Well, I will

happily write to the honourable gentleman with the figures, I don't

recognise what he has said. We have actually expanded those schemes and

the green paper asks what more we can do. We want to ensure that

everyone who want to get into work has the equipment and the support

they need to do so. A lot more people seem to be working

till they're much older these days, few things are more depressing than

after they've worked and put into their private pensions that when

they do finally retired they are hammered for taxation until they

drop. Is his department talking with the Chancellor of the Exchequer

about imagine Tiff ways of rewarding people who have worked all their

lives and just done the right thing? I thank the honourable gentleman for

that question. I'm sure, I sincerely hope from his point of view that he

doesn't work until he drops. But I take the main point that he says

which is that people are retiring older. I'm sure that the Treasury as

part of a continual policy of reducing taxation for people will be

looking to this in the future. But the good news is that with pension

freedoms and of course the tax-free element that pensioners enjoy, there

is a lot more scope now for pensioners to do the kind of thing

that he's saying. Thank you Mr Speaker. The IFS project that child

poverty will go up by 50% over the course of this Parliament. Why is

that? Well, the IFS's projections are for the IFS to explain. I can

give the honourable gentleman the facts. The proportion of people

living in relative poverty is near its lowest level for more than 30

years. Since 2010, there are 300,000 fewer people in poverty, 100,000

fewer working-age adults in poverty and 100,000 fewer children in

poverty. I think the whole House should welcome those figures. I'd

like to ask my right honourable friend what the Government is doing

to ensure that there is a whole system approach to seeing work as a

health outcome? I would point my honourable friend to the joint

health and work green paper that we have just published. I think this is

a key opportunity early enough in this Parliament if we wanted to

reform things like the work capability assessment we could do

so, that will really ensure that people who need support get it

whether it is coming from our services or health care.

By Wednesday's Autumn Statement it will be 505 days since the

Government announced the two child clause policy and rate clause in the

budget 2015. It's estimated this policy will put 200,000 children

into poverty by 2020. The Government still can't tell us how it will

actually work with a measly 38-day consultation for the public to

respond. When will the Government finally admit that the two child

policy is unworkable, when will he scrap the policy? Difficult

decisions had to be made in welfare reform. The vast majority of

families with children have fewer than two children, this is one

decision made. It plies to only new case -- applies to only new cases.

With regards to the exemptions, these are some of the most difficult

and sensitive topics. It is right to have a full consultation and work

closely with experts in the sector to make sure we get the process

exactly right. I was very pleased to hear last week from the minister for

the disabled that she really understands the extra costs that

people have in the ESA group. She talks about liquidity. Can she

reiterate the assurance that the people who no longer receive the

benefit could be compensated in other ways, could she clarify? Yes,

I'd be happy to give reassurances. In addition to discretionary

payments made through the work coach with the financial, flexible support

fund - yes, it's always been the case. With relation to costs that

they incur from actually getting into work, those other costs that

they face, not directly related to getting into work, we are looking at

ways of how we actually reduce the outgoings. There are a number of

national and locally administered schemes to mitigate those costs. I

am very clear, we have to do both things, ensure that someone can

endure and cope with the situation that necessity find themselves in

but we must also bring forward that support in April to enable them to

get out of the situation. With around ?4 billion of child

support debt still outstanding, and DWP's own figures to March this year

showing that 90,000 nonresident parents had not paid child support

in full, will the Secretary of State tell the House where extra resources

can be found to ensure those parents due child maintenance receive it in

full and on time? We encourage paying payments to pay their

maintenance on time and in full and to avoid the accrual of arrears.

However, where a paying parent fails to pay on time, we aim to take

immediate action to recover the debt and re-establish compliance. We have

a range of strong enforcements powering including seizing property

and commitment to prison. We attempt to re-establish compliance initially

through a one-off card payment or negotiated agreement. Deduction from

the paying parent's owning or deduction from a bank account. We

are in the process of responding to a consultation from earlier this

year on using powers to deduct from joint bank accounts. Will he allow

alternative payment arrangements for universal credit claimants with

complex need to start at the beginning of their tennancies and

will he ensure such arrangements are delivered quickly? The DWP have long

recognised challenges faced in relation to universal credit. We

will ensure that suitable financial products are available and for the

small minority that need them, alternative payment arrangements can

be set up. All APA cases are dealt with urgentsly. The majority of

cases are processed within a five-day average clearance time. It

was a long overdue victory for common sense that those people with

chronic illnesses and long-term conditions will no longer be subject

to the work capability assessment, but what about our brave veterans in

receipt of war pensions? Why are they still subject to work

capability assessment? I think the honourable gentleman makes a very

good point. It is one as a former Armed Forces Minister that I have

discussed with the department and that's why we have specific

questions related to our armeds forces in the green paper. The most

challenging gap we need to bridge in the disability employment statistics

are the ones for people with learning difficulties. In answer to

a written question, the Civil Service were unable to break down

those stats to show the numbers of people employed with learning

disabilities. Does the minister agree this would be vital stats to

help in our ability to provide policies and support for people in

these circumstances? I agree absolutely with my honourable

friend, which is why we are doing that at a local level as possible.

On December 5 we are holding a drop-in session to which every

member of the House will be invited. As well as giving them information

about how to run local events to get participation in the green paper

consultation, we will be giving them local data so that they can get that

local focus on the people we are trying to help today and the unmet

need. Paper Can the Secretary of State

advice why his colleagues voted for my motion calling on the the

Government to pause cuts to ESA and universal credit. Members are

entitled to vote in their House the way they like. I disagree with his

motion, and... I'm not sure the Chief Whip would entirely agree with

me at all times. But it is a fact. I disagree with the case the

honourable gentleman made in that debate. I think as has been explored

over the last hour in this question time, there has to be a bans --

balance between keeping the public finances in order and ensuring our

benefits system works as well as possible to help as many people as

possible into work. That is what we have been doing for many years and

that is what we will continue to do. Universal credit was roll out in

Waverly on 25th May, at present it is not going well and many people

are finding themselves in difficult situations. Can the Secretary of

State assure me and my constituents that everything is being done to

address these technical issues, so that universal credit can play the

role for which it was intended. I'm always happy to talk about any

technical issues as we roll out this important benefit. And if my

honourable friend wishes to bring them to my attention in detail,

which will talk to him about them. Shouldn't the people who were

damaged by the contaminated blood scandal be passported on to the new

Pip reveal if they're already in receipt of DLA. I don't know whether

it is an issue the the honourable lady has raised before, I'm sorry if

I'm not aware of the previous correspondence she has had with the

department. I would be happy to meet with her to is the cuss that. --

discuss that. Pip helps people with mental conditions higher than under

DLA. What can be done to signpost people to additional support? We

have been trialing a number of measures, for example the mental

health trail blazers that combine employment support advice with

psychological support delivered through the NHS and we are going to

roll that out nationally. Does the Secretary of State understand that

the dismissive answers the minister gave about the problems faced by

WASPI women are a slap in the face to women who have worked all their

lives and in many cased have retired to look after sick or elderly

relatives, thus saving the country millions of pounds. It is time they

recognised those who have done the right play should be looked at a and

their situation alleviated. Since the original legislation was passed

now more than 20 years ago and since the 20 lever act, the Government

committed 1.1 billion to lessen the impact of the changes for those

affected and in the end, we have to address the issue that clearly

having the same pension age for men and women is fair. And that at a

time when we are all living longer, then it is necessary if we are going

to keep a credible pension system going, for the pension age to go up

gradually for both sexes. And I'm sorry that many people in the Labour

Party don't seem to accept those basic facts of arithmetic. But

they're basic facts. The mitigations that were put in place means that no

one has seen their pension age change by more than 18 months

compared to the previous time table for 81% of these women the increase

will be no more than 12 months. As a final point for the honourable

gentleman who is shouting, other countries have actually done this

faster than the UK. In nine European countries, including Germany,

Denmark and the Netherlands, the state pension age was 65 for women

as far back as 2009. So I'm afraid the Labour Party will have to accept

these basic facts. I was hoping there would be time for the

remaining two questioners. There isn't. But it with will have to be

found any way. On Saturday evening I met with a constituent who came to

see my about the issue of PIP reassessments for those with

deafness-related questions. The question he wanted to put was

whether part of review of reassessment process whether

ministers will look carefully at the situation relating to these group of

individuals. Yes, the Green Paper will afford us the opportunity to do

that. I think around certain disabilities in particular, there

are some sensitive issues about how someone might need help provided,

for example someone's preference to use sign language which we also need

to take into account. We will do that. I was contacted by a

constituent who was asked to complete an evaluation form at the

end of a Pip assessment and alleges the professional who conducted the

assessment stood over her and watched as she completed the

paperwork. I'm sure the minister will share my alarm that people may

feel menaced into giving favourable feedback. Will she look into this? I

think if the honourable lady can give me any more specifics about

that, I will be happy to look into it. In terms of the satisfaction

reviews that are done, the satisfaction rating is high, and I

do not think my view... No, no, I I think we need to give credit where

it is due due. If that practice is going on, I will be very happy to

look into it. Order. Urgent question, Lisa Nandy. To make a

statement on the leadership, staffing and budget and structure of

the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse. Mr Speaker, the

inquiry was set up to look at the extent to which institutions in

England and Wales failed to protect children from sexual abuse. We know

the terrible impact that abuse has on survivors, sometimes for many

years. As the House knows, following the resignation of the previous

chair, my honourable friend the Home Secretary appointed Alexis Jay. She

has a distinguished career in social work. She