Speeches by Kruger.

“There were significant issues presented by the benefit reforms that the last Government introduced—again, in response to the fiscal crisis that they inherited. Many of those reforms were very positive in terms of getting people into work. However, I recognise that the axe fell disproportionately on certain members of t…”

“I will give way to the hon. Lady.”

“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…”

“Will the hon. Gentleman give way?”

“Will the hon. Lady give way?”

“I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for his amendments. He is absolutely right to say that this country trusts the judges, which is why this House was so enthusiastic about the inclusion of the High Court in the original Bill. Does he agree that by reintroducing proper judicial scrutiny at this stage we would be reve…”

“Will the hon. Gentleman give way?”

“On that point, will the hon. Member give way?”

“Thank you; that is very well put. I share that vision. My challenge is about why state employees are the best people to do that, but you are absolutely right, and particularly about the importance of supporting people in a place. My question though is specifically on the recruitment side, and I will come on to the supp…”

“Hi there. I have three quick questions; one rather general one and then two more specific. First, you have said how much you enjoy being in jobcentres and I know what you mean—they are often happy places with good people. I do think there is a general challenge about what they are for and I think your reforms are tryin…”

“Certainly, I take that, and thank you. My sense, though, is what employers want is candidates with the right skills—which is not necessarily central to your Department—and they want the cost of employment to be lower. Job coaches I have been speaking to all privately raise the challenge of the cost of employment, parti…”

“I am grateful for that intervention, and I recognise the complexity of the subject we are discussing. The hon. Lady has cited evidence that contradicts mine. I need to look into the study she mentions, because my strong understanding is that, on the basis of the overall immigration we have welcomed in recent years—and,…”

“I am sorry if I missed the hon. Ladies’ references to the pull factor, but I simply do not believe that the offer, or the lack of offer, of support has no effect on the demand for places in the UK. I think people will factor in those considerations when deciding whether to apply for a visa here. If we are offering addi…”

“It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Dr Huq. I offer my thanks and appreciation to the hon. Member for Sheffield Hallam (Olivia Blake) for her speech, and for securing the debate. She expressed very well the complexity of migration and the welfare system, which I will come to. It is important that we get our…”

“It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Bournemouth East (Tom Hayes). That was an important speech and I concur entirely with his priority there. It is really important that we invest in the social infrastructure of play for the benefit of children, although not necessarily for the benefit of Ed Balls and Andy B…”

“Thanks, Minister. I agree very much with the point you were making that for so much of what we discuss in this context of social security, the drivers of demand are outside the system. I hear what you say about the long-term impact of policy now, particularly on pensioner incomes, which is why it is so concerning that …”

“Of course it will.”

“All hail, IDS.”

“A possible legislative change, but mostly the direction of travel that is under way is the right one. You are not suggesting some sort of big bang solution that needs to happen at any stage soon?”

“GDP per capita specifically is—”