💼 Oral Answers to Questions

• Jobcentres and Economic Growth: The Minister for Employment outlined the “Get Britain Working” plan, which aims to reform jobcentres to meet the needs of local labour markets, helping increase employment and contribute to economic growth.

• Support for Disabled People: Concerns were raised about how jobcentre assessments often focus on proving that disabled people cannot work rather than supporting them into employment. The Minister acknowledged the issue and highlighted plans to reform jobcentres to better support disabled people.

• Assistive Technology for Visually Impaired: The lack of specialist technology such as screen readers in jobcentres was addressed, which prevents some disabled jobseekers from using on-site computers. The Minister confirmed plans to enhance technology in the new jobs and careers service.

• Pension Credit Take-up: The Department of Work and Pensions has launched the biggest ever campaign to increase take-up of pension credit, with 150,000 new claims made recently. Further steps include inviting pensioners receiving housing benefit to apply for pension credit.

• Pensioner Poverty and Winter Fuel Payment: The changes in means-testing the winter fuel payment were discussed, with several MPs raising concerns about its impact on pensioner poverty. The Minister defended the approach, suggesting it targets support where it’s most needed.

• Unemployment Rate and Economic Policies: The Minister expressed concerns about the unemployment rate inherited from the previous government and outlined efforts under the “Get Britain Working” plan to increase employment and support businesses in recruitment.

• Benefit Fraud by Criminal Gangs: The Secretary of State announced a Public Authorities (Fraud, Error and Recovery) Bill to tackle fraud, including empowering investigators to search premises and seize items from criminal gangs.

• Support for Vulnerable People into Work: The Minister emphasized the importance of helping vulnerable people into employment through the “Connect to Work” program, aimed at improving support and reducing the benefits bill.

• Pensions Regulator and Economic Growth: The government is assessing how the Pensions Regulator can support economic growth, including supporting the development of pension superfunds for investment.

• Child Maintenance Service Efficiency: Efforts to modernize the Child Maintenance Service were discussed, focusing on digital interactions to improve efficiency and customer support.

• Child Poverty Strategy: The Minister reported on the progress of the child poverty taskforce, which is working to develop a strategy to address the high levels of child poverty left by the previous government.

• Mental Health and Employment: On Time to Talk Day, the importance of discussing mental health stigma in workplaces was highlighted, with the “Keep Britain Working” review expected to address these issues.

• Support for Carers: Discussions covered the adequacy of carer’s allowance and its extension to those in full-time education, as well as support for unpaid carers and end-of-life carers.

• Universal Credit and Variable Income: The call for reviewing universal credit to better support those with variable incomes, such as farmers, was noted, with the Minister agreeing to include this in upcoming reviews.

• Personal Independence Payments and Fraud: The shift to online and telephone assessments for PIP was discussed, with assurances that this has not led to increased fraud, but the situation is being monitored.

The parliamentary session displays a moderate level of disagreement, reflected in both the intensity and frequency of opposition expressed by members across the political spectrum. Here are the key points contributing to this rating:

1. Policy Disputes: There are clear instances of disagreement over specific policies, notably around the employment rights bill and the winter fuel payment. For instance, Mr. Peter Bedford directly questioned the government’s employment measures, stating they were ‘anti-growth, anti-jobs, and anti-business,’ to which the Minister Alison McGovern responded with a simple ‘I do not,’ indicating clear disagreement (Source: Mr Peter Bedford and Alison McGovern exchange). Similarly, Patrick Spencer and Sir Ashley Fox both criticized the government’s decision to means-test the winter fuel payment, with Sir Ashley Fox asking the Minister for advice on pensioners facing financial difficulties due to these cuts, which Torsten Bell refuted by pointing to the government’s broader strategy (Source: Patrick Spencer, Sir Ashley Fox, and Torsten Bell exchanges).

2. Opposition to Government Inaction: Helen Whately criticized the government’s approach to unemployment, specifically questioning the rise in unemployment figures and attributing them to the government’s policies. This resulted in a strong rebuttal from Liz Kendall, who dismissed the criticism as ‘wishful thinking’ and countered with the consequences of past government actions (Source: Helen Whately and Liz Kendall exchange).

3. Criticism Over Welfare and Benefit Policies: There were several instances where members expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s welfare policies. Danny Kruger challenged the government on delays in welfare reform and the rising welfare bill, which Sir Stephen Timms refuted by pointing out the judicial review’s findings against the previous government’s actions (Source: Danny Kruger and Sir Stephen Timms exchanges). Similarly, Ian Lavery’s concern about the possible scrapping of personal independence payments was addressed by Sir Stephen Timms, who reassured support but pointed out the need for systemic changes (Source: Ian Lavery and Sir Stephen Timms exchange).

4. Cross-Party Concerns: Criticism also came from across the political spectrum, including from the Liberal Democrats and the SNP, indicating broader disagreement over government policies. For instance, Steve Darling pressed the Minister on the two-child cap, a recurring point of contention (Source: Steve Darling and Alison McGovern exchange).

5. Positive Acknowledgements: Despite the disagreements, there were instances where members across the aisle commended certain efforts or agreed with government statements. For example, Alex Easton’s commendation of work coaches was met with agreement from Alison McGovern (Source: Alex Easton and Alison McGovern exchange).

The rating of 3 reflects the balance between the evident disputes, particularly around economic and welfare policies, and the acknowledgment of some government initiatives. The disagreements are significant and span various topics, yet they are not universally intense or pervasive enough to warrant a higher rating. Conversely, there’s enough opposition and criticism to elevate it above a lower level of disagreement.