Today, Stephen led an Estimates Day debate on the Government’s estimates for spending on social security this financial year. Stephen criticised the Government for multiple failings in the welfare system that leave people poorer and less able to work.
“The security is absent from social security,” Stephen said as he argued that the welfare system suffers shortfalls such as the five-week wait, two-child limit, and inadequate benefit levels.
Under the five-week wait and two-child limit, claimants of Universal Credit, the UK’s main benefit, must wait five weeks to receive their first payment and can only receive support for a maximum of two children. These policies drive people into rental arrears, debt, and food bank reliance.
Research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has also shown that the standard allowance of Universal Credit is at least £35 per week less than the minimum amount claimants need to cover essential spending on food, toiletries, and utilities.
Stephen raised all these issues in his speech, as well as addressing the Cost of Living Payments and unsafe asbestos in workplaces.
The Department for Work and Pensions is the highest spending government department: it is predicted to spend £279.3 billion this financial year. Most of its spending is on state pensions. Estimates Day debates allow MPs to discuss the Government’s predictions of its spending.