Speeches by Kruger.

“Unemployment is up as well. It is a perverse set of contradictory stamps that we can trade with each other. Let me quickly finish, Chair, with a question.”

“Stephen, you said earlier that you are going to press ahead with the Bill next week. At the moment you do not have a majority to get it through the House of Commons unless the Conservatives support the Bill. Would you like us to and will you press ahead if you can only do it with Conservative support?”

“As I know you want to do, but you are going about it in a very perverse manner, in my view.”

“I suggest we try to create jobs and well-paid jobs for them.”

“The health component.”

“There is still no conditionality to seek that support or to take it?”

“In real terms it will be £5 a week, won’t it?”

“Indeed. Let me just turn to universal credit health. As we have said, that is now essentially being merged with the PIP regime. It is not clear to what extent this is now a disability benefit rather than an incapacity one and we look forward to seeing the product of the assessment review. The proposal is to cut in half…”

“It is starting but it is starting slowly—100,000 people, when we are talking about—”

“We are talking about millions of people currently parked on benefits, and you are only proposing to support 100,000 who will not all necessarily succeed in getting into one.”

“I am just sorry that there has been so little consultation with the victims of the changes that the Government are introducing. One area where the Government do not seem to be looking for savings is in the Motability scheme. It was supposed to help physically disabled people get around, but now we have 100,000 new peop…”

“I respect the Minister very much, and I know that he cares deeply about people who rely on the social security system. That is why it is such a tragedy that he is presiding over these profound reforms without having consulted disabled people. Can he explain why so many benefit claimants feel that these reforms have bee…”

“The gamekeepers employed by the military shoots on Salisbury plain are an essential resource in preserving that rare and special habitat, but DEFRA has given the rights to award licences to the shoots to Natural England, a quango that is ideologically opposed to shooting. Will the Minister take responsibility and ensur…”

“I have a question first for Ben and then a second question for Adam and Alistair. Can more be done to encourage private landlords to provide temporary accommodation? I will come on to the question of discretionary housing payments and the household support fund, and whether that is potentially an opportunity—I want to …”

“I have 30 seconds to ask Hilary about the merger of pension credit and housing benefit. What might the impact be for older people?”

“Point taken, thank you very much. I will come to the other two on your general views about the Government’s proposal to combine discretionary housing payments with the household support fund. Does that sound sensible to you? I will start with Adam. My general question to you—feel free to take it any direction you like,…”

“Presumably, as a local authority leader, you would welcome that immediate return.”

“Quickly, Ben, you are supporting the Renters’ Rights Bill. I totally get the argument for stopping no-fault evictions. I get the point strongly made by Citizens Advice to me locally. Nevertheless, you are aware of the number of landlords who are talking about quitting the rental market. Let us not talk generally. Shoul…”

“I shall be as quick as I can. I am grateful to hon. Members for their contributions. I fully recognise and share all the concerns that people have raised on behalf of constituents facing the cuts that are coming down the line. Nevertheless, the Government are right in their overall objective of trying to tackle the cha…”

“I will give way to the hon. Lady.”