Legislative debate on Monday, 19 February 2007, in the House of Commons, led by James Purnell. The answering member was David Ruffley.

Social Security

Draft SI on Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2007. Motion to approve. Agreed to on question. Debated with draft SI on Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2007.

Secondary information

Type: Parliamentary proceeding
Reference: 457 c42-67
Session: 2006-07
Department: Department for Work and Pensions
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Related items: Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2007
Wednesday, 24 January 2007
Statutory instruments
House of Commons
House of Lords; Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2007
Wednesday, 24 January 2007
Statutory instruments
House of Commons
House of Lords
Proceeding contributions: David Ruffley | 457 c54 (Link to this contribution) I am very happy to give way to the Minister.; James Purnell | 457 c54 (Link to this contribution) Would the hon. Gentleman describe the fact that 39 per cent. of pensioners lived in relative poverty...; David Ruffley | 457 c54 (Link to this contribution) I would not wish to characterise any Administration—not even the hon. Gentleman’s—by picking out one...; Stewart Hosie | 457 c54-5 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman has referred to complexity and bureaucracy several times, particularly in relatio...; David Ruffley | 457 c51-4 (Link to this contribution) I thank my hon. Friend. His power to anticipate what I am going to say is legendary. He will be happ...; Adam Afriyie | 457 c54 (Link to this contribution) My hon. Friend might like to know that at a recent lunch at the Age Concern office in my constituenc...; David Ruffley | 457 c54 (Link to this contribution) In his inimitable way, my hon. Friend makes an important point, taken from the real world—in this ca...; David Ruffley | 457 c55-6 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman will have to wait for the publication of the policy commission’s report; I am not...; Adam Afriyie | 457 c51 (Link to this contribution) My hon. Friend is making some worthwhile points about retail price inflation, the Rossi measurement ...; James Purnell | 457 c49 (Link to this contribution) The only reason why there was a smile playing on my lips is that I was wondering whether, in their p...; David Ruffley | 457 c49 (Link to this contribution) The Minister’s imagination is running riot. I do not think that we have ever indicated that there sh...; John Bercow | 457 c48 (Link to this contribution) And for them.; David Ruffley | 457 c48-9 (Link to this contribution) Indeed, it will be an even bigger treat for the two young Bercow offspring. The representative bask...; John Bercow | 457 c48 (Link to this contribution) Read it out.; James Purnell | 457 c45-6 (Link to this contribution) I have reached the last page of my speech, Mr. Deputy Speaker, so there is not much that I can do to...; David Ruffley | 457 c46-8 (Link to this contribution) We welcome the debate, and recognise its importance for welfare and social justice, and I am gratefu...; John Bercow | 457 c49 (Link to this contribution) I am extraordinarily grateful to my hon. Friend for giving way because he is addressing the House wi...; David Ruffley | 457 c50-1;457 c49-51 (Link to this contribution) My hon. Friend makes an important point. I do not wish to be churlish; the Government put the websit...; James Plaskitt | 457 c65 (Link to this contribution) Indeed. One could carry out any number of technical changes to the welfare system and achieve some m...; David Ruffley | 457 c65 (Link to this contribution) We talk about reform of the system. The Minister makes the point that it is an ongoing, laborious pr...; James Plaskitt | 457 c65-7 (Link to this contribution) I have no doubt whatsoever that the report will stimulate much debate, as the hon. Gentleman says. W...; David Ruffley | 457 c64 (Link to this contribution) The burden of my argument was that the adequacy of the level of benefit is important, as is take-up....; David Laws | 457 c65 (Link to this contribution) It sounds as though the work of the simplification unit is useful and is generally in a helpful dire...; James Plaskitt | 457 c64-5 (Link to this contribution) Yes. I am pretty sure that we publish those figures on an annual basis. If the hon. Gentleman cares ...; David Laws | 457 c61 (Link to this contribution) On uprating, the Minister is confirming precisely that the guarantee that was in place under the pre...; David Laws | 457 c58-61 (Link to this contribution) I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that clarification. I fear that he may be accused of toying ...; James Purnell | 457 c61 (Link to this contribution) On a point of clarification, we have left the flexibility for the Government to decide between infla...; David Laws | 457 c63 (Link to this contribution) Notwithstanding the Minister’s comments, does he agree that, since 2000-01, the value of the winter ...; James Plaskitt | 457 c63-4 (Link to this contribution) I am suggesting that the hon. Gentleman take into consideration the overall period that I was referr...; David Laws | 457 c61-2 (Link to this contribution) I will certainly not be scaremongering, but the Minister has acknowledged that he has taken a decisi...; James Plaskitt | 457 c62-3 (Link to this contribution) We have had a short but detailed and interesting debate, comprising only Front-Bench spokespeople. I...; David Ruffley | 457 c58 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman should not infer from my speculative questioning that I am trying to lead the soc...; David Laws | 457 c56-8 (Link to this contribution) I am pleased to be able to take part in the debate. Last year, the hon. Member for Bury St. Edmunds ...; David Laws | 457 c43 (Link to this contribution) Same old jokes.; James Purnell | 457 c42-3 (Link to this contribution) From memory, the number is 17 per cent., which is down from its peak of about 39 per cent. under the...; David Laws | 457 c42 (Link to this contribution) How many pensioners in Britain are living in relative poverty?; James Purnell | 457 c42 (Link to this contribution) I am satisfied that the orders are compatible with the European convention on human rights. The upra...; Speaker | 457 c45 (Link to this contribution) Order. Many of the points that the Minister is touching on do relate to the motions before the House...; James Purnell | 457 c45 (Link to this contribution) I think that the hon. Gentleman was a member of the Standing Committee, which considered that point,...; Adam Afriyie | 457 c45 (Link to this contribution) The Minister mentioned the pathways to work pilot schemes being rolled out nationwide and the new we...; James Purnell | 457 c43-5 (Link to this contribution) When the hon. Gentleman gives me answers to my questions, I will stop using them. We now spend over...; Speaker | 457 c42 (Link to this contribution) I understand that with this it will be convenient to discuss the following motion:"That the draft Gu...; James Purnell | 457 c42 (Link to this contribution) I beg to move,"That the draft Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2007, which was laid before t...; David Ruffley | 457 c48 (Link to this contribution) If my hon. Friend had been in the Chamber throughout my speech he would have heard an analysis borde...; James Purnell | 457 c61 (Link to this contribution) The hon. Gentleman accepts the point that I made—at least earnings will be used in those situations—...
Subjects: Council tax benefits Children Child benefit Adoption Housing benefit Employment Jobseeker's allowance Income support Families Energy Increases Guaranteed minimum pensions Incapacity benefit Inflation Index linking Pension credit Pay Poverty Pensions Maternity pay Paternity Social security benefits State retirement pensions Sick pay Take-up Uprating Retail prices index Cost of living
Legislation: Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2007; Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2007
Link: View this Parliamentary proceeding on www.publications.parliament.uk

Social Security

Secondary information

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