Written question asked by Lord Hylton (Crossbench) on Monday, 8 July 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 July 2019. It was answered by Baroness Buscombe (Conservative) on Wednesday, 17 July 2019 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Social Security

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to create a new "safety net" to prevent people from becoming destitute; and what consideration they have given to re-establishing a national assistance board to assist in this endeavour.

Answer: This Government is committed to providing a strong safety-net for those who need it. We continue to spend over £95 billion a year on working age welfare benefits. We have a well-established system of hardship payments, benefit advances and budgeting loans for those who need extra support, and Jobcentre managers work closely with external partners to help vulnerable claimants. Our local government finance settlement means that over this year and next, councils will get over £10 billion in direct grants from central government to continue to offer a range of vital services to their local communities. We have no plans to re-establish a national assistance board.

Secondary information