Latest news with #AlisonMcGovern
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
No commitment to scrap two-child benefit cap until funding is clear
The Government will not commit to lifting the two-child benefit cap until it is clear how it will be paid for, a minister has told the Commons. Further calls to scrap the controversial policy were made by Labour backbenchers on Tuesday, during a Conservative-led debate focused on retaining the cap. There were more than 1.6 million children living in households in England, Wales and Scotland affected by the two-child benefit limit in April, according to figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions last week. Work and pensions minister Alison McGovern said the Child Poverty Task Force will look at 'all the levers across incomes, costs, debt and local support that we can pull to prevent poverty, including social security reform'. Speaking during the opposition day debate, she added: 'Our universal credit review is considering ways that the system can improve in order to stabilise family finances and provide routes into good work. 'And on the two-child limit, specifically, the consequences, as I've said in my speech, of the Conservative choices made over the past decade and a half are clear for all to see. 'We have rightly said many times we will not commit to any policy without knowing how we are going to pay for it.' Labour MP for Rochdale, Paul Waugh, said: '59% of families (who) have more than two children, on universal credit, are in work, and that's far from the feckless parent caricature that we've heard today from the Conservatives. 'And more importantly, does she agree with me that actually it's the children (who) should come first, and because the children should come first, we should urgently scrap the two-child cap as quickly as possible?' Ms McGovern declined to respond directly to Mr Waugh's question, instead arguing that the Conservative Party 'only wants to divide people'. Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth Brian Leishman also said 'the Government should lift it immediately', adding: 'Having a child is a blessing, not a blessing everyone receives, and the two-child cap is an inherently cruel policy that punishes the least advantaged. 'The idea that a third or a fourth or a fifth child is worth less than the first two is beyond wicked.' Conservative shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately had described the welfare bill as a 'ticking time bomb' as she opened the debate. She added: 'We have brought forward this debate today on the two-child limit, because somebody has to make the case for fiscal responsibility, for living within our means, for fairness, for making sure work pays, and for keeping the two-child cap.' MPs rejected the Conservatives' motion that the benefit cap should remain, with 106 voting in favour, 440 against, majority 334.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
No commitment to scrap two-child benefit cap until funding is clear
The Government will not commit to lifting the two-child benefit cap until it is clear how it will be paid for, a minister has told the Commons. Further calls to scrap the controversial policy were made by Labour backbenchers on Tuesday, during a Conservative-led debate focused on retaining the cap. There were more than 1.6 million children living in households in England, Wales and Scotland affected by the two-child benefit limit in April, according to figures published by the Department for Work and Pensions last week. Work and pensions minister Alison McGovern said the Child Poverty Task Force will look at 'all the levers across incomes, costs, debt and local support that we can pull to prevent poverty, including social security reform'. Speaking during the opposition day debate, she added: 'Our universal credit review is considering ways that the system can improve in order to stabilise family finances and provide routes into good work. 'And on the two-child limit, specifically, the consequences, as I've said in my speech, of the Conservative choices made over the past decade and a half are clear for all to see. 'We have rightly said many times we will not commit to any policy without knowing how we are going to pay for it.' Labour MP for Rochdale, Paul Waugh, said: '59% of families (who) have more than two children, on universal credit, are in work, and that's far from the feckless parent caricature that we've heard today from the Conservatives. 'And more importantly, does she agree with me that actually it's the children (who) should come first, and because the children should come first, we should urgently scrap the two-child cap as quickly as possible?' Ms McGovern declined to respond directly to Mr Waugh's question, instead arguing that the Conservative Party 'only wants to divide people'. Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth Brian Leishman also said 'the Government should lift it immediately', adding: 'Having a child is a blessing, not a blessing everyone receives, and the two-child cap is an inherently cruel policy that punishes the least advantaged. 'The idea that a third or a fourth or a fifth child is worth less than the first two is beyond wicked.' Conservative shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately had described the welfare bill as a 'ticking time bomb' as she opened the debate. She added: 'We have brought forward this debate today on the two-child limit, because somebody has to make the case for fiscal responsibility, for living within our means, for fairness, for making sure work pays, and for keeping the two-child cap.' MPs rejected the Conservatives' motion that the benefit cap should remain, with 106 voting in favour, 440 against, majority 334.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Lancashire to receive £38.8m funding for new work programme
Lancashire is to receive £38.8m to help get more people back into work in the is one of four areas to be given a share of £100m of government funding as part of the Connect to Work programme, with Lancashire the only place in the North scheme aims to help those who are out of work due to health conditions, disabilities or complex needs to find for Employment Alison McGovern, on a visit to Preston Jobcentre Plus, said: "This latest funding will make a real difference in the lives of people across the country." McGovern said: "We've set a goal for the country to get to an 80% employment rate. In Preston it's about 70% so a little bit behind. "We want places like Lancashire to be a major part of our economic story."As part of her visit, she also talked to job centre staff and some of those who use the service. Julie Griffin, 23, from Blackpool said finding work had been said: "When I was not working, I would just stay at home in bed and then I'd get really anxious and frightened to the point I wouldn't go out."After being supported by Jobcentre staff she is now working, and is urging others in a similar position to get help."It's all worth it in the end," she said. Under the Connect to Work programme in the county, 11,000 participants will be supported across Lancashire County Council, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool council government said changes to job centres would mean staff had more time to support people because they would be using better added: "Changing job centres and providing funding for towns and cities will make sure everyone is included in our economic plan."She also said she wanted job centres to work with businesses in the county to provide good said: "I want the likes of BAE and others to be recruiting through the DWP and helping people who might be perhaps overlooked to really get a job and get a start."I know that will set Lancashire well up for the future and its economic growth." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Labour minister suggests UK Government could copy Scottish Child Payment
Employment minister Alison McGovern said "all levers are very much on the table" when asked if her government was considering raising the child element of universal credit to the same rate as the SCP. A Labour minister has suggested that the UK Government could copy the Scottish Child Payment (SCP). Employment minister Alison McGovern said "all levers are very much on the table" when asked if her government was considering raising the child element of universal credit to the same rate as the SCP. SNP MP Kirsty Blackman said during Work and Pensions questions in the House of Commons on Monday: "Matching the Scottish Child Payment by raising the child element of Universal Credit would bring more than half a million children out of poverty. "The Secretary of State has been clear that there are a lot of issues that are being considered as part of the child poverty taskforce. "Would raising the child element of Universal Credit to the level of the Scottish Child Payment be one of those matters?" Employment minister Alison McGovern said: "At risk of boring the House, all levers are very much on the table when it comes to getting our kids out of poverty." The SCP is currently set at £27.15 a week and is paid for every child in eligible low income families. It has been hailed as one of the successes of the Scottish Government over recent years by keeping kids out of poverty. Aberdeen North MP Blackman said afterwards: 'The Scottish Child Payment lifts tens of thousands of kids out of poverty so if the Labour Government shares that ambition then replicating it is an absolute no brainer. 'Rather than plotting a scheme to slash payments for disabled people, the Labour Government should look to Scotland for its example on lifting families out of poverty – instead they persist on dipping into the Tory playbook of hammering the most vulnerable. 'It was welcome to hear the Minister say all options remain on the table, but sadly the people who sit round that table previously robbed pensioners of their Winter Fuel Payment, betrayed the WASPI women and enforced the two child benefit cap. 'If the Labour Government copied measures taken by the SNP Scottish Government they'd lift nearly 2 million people out of poverty – that's the fact of the matter, but I won't be holding my breath.' The child poverty taskforce will publish a report which will outline the UK Government's child poverty strategy later this year.
South Wales Argus
13-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Minister visits Blackwood to discuss employment and welfare
The event was led by the UK Government's employment minister, Alison McGovern MP, who visited the venue last week. Organised by Ruth Jones MP, the discussion was part of nationwide feedback on Government proposals to "Get Britain Working". These plans include fortifying workers' rights and a comprehensive reform of Jobcentres. The consultation is open to public input until June 30. Representatives from various organisations, as well as customers, participated in the roundtable discussion alongside Caerphilly Council's Employment Support Team. The team, which uses the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund and Welsh Government funding, offers community-based employability support. Their mission is to promote sustainable employment and tackle inequality by targeting support at the most disadvantaged in the labour market. They provide comprehensive one-to-one support, fully-funded training, and dedicated mentors to help individuals overcome employment barriers. Councillor Jamie Pritchard, the deputy leader, said: "Here in Caerphilly county borough, we are taking great strides to support people into employment. "Our Employment Support Team are working with employers daily, with the ambition to support over 1,000 underemployed and unemployed people over the coming year. "The roundtable in Blackwood Miners' Institute was an important opportunity to listen, learn, and explore practical ways to help people overcome barriers and build brighter futures." Minister for employment, Alison McGovern, said: "It has been fantastic to be here in Blackwood today with Ruth Jones MP and the deputy council leader Jamie Pritchard, to hear from people and organisations with lived experience of the welfare system." To learn more about the initiatives undertaken by the Caerphilly County Borough Council's Employment Support team, visit the council's website.
