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Universal credit: Labour attacks minister's absence from debate Universal credit: Labour attacks minister's absence from debate
(about 1 hour later)
Labour has attacked the work and pensions secretary David Gauke for failing to attend an emergency debate on universal credit.Labour has attacked the work and pensions secretary David Gauke for failing to attend an emergency debate on universal credit.
Employment minister Damian Hinds stepped in for him in the Commons.Employment minister Damian Hinds stepped in for him in the Commons.
Mr Gauke's Labour shadow Debbie Abrahams told MPs she had not received a "satisfactory response" from his office to explain his absence.Mr Gauke's Labour shadow Debbie Abrahams told MPs she had not received a "satisfactory response" from his office to explain his absence.
Labour were granted the emergency debate after the government was accused of ignoring a vote last week.Labour were granted the emergency debate after the government was accused of ignoring a vote last week.
The government is under pressure to pause the rollout of universal credit to fix problems with it, amid reports some families are being forced to wait more than six weeks for payments.The government is under pressure to pause the rollout of universal credit to fix problems with it, amid reports some families are being forced to wait more than six weeks for payments.
Conservative MPs were ordered to abstain when MPs voted on a Labour motion urging a pause on Wednesday, handing Labour a symbolic victory in the non-binding vote.Conservative MPs were ordered to abstain when MPs voted on a Labour motion urging a pause on Wednesday, handing Labour a symbolic victory in the non-binding vote.
But the lack of a ministerial response to the result led to accusations the government was ignoring Parliament and carrying on regardless.But the lack of a ministerial response to the result led to accusations the government was ignoring Parliament and carrying on regardless.
The government is not bound by law to abide by the result of votes on opposition motions - but backbench MPs made it clear they expected a minister to explain what they intended to do.The government is not bound by law to abide by the result of votes on opposition motions - but backbench MPs made it clear they expected a minister to explain what they intended to do.
Now Commons Speaker John Bercow has agreed to a Labour request to another debate on the issue.Now Commons Speaker John Bercow has agreed to a Labour request to another debate on the issue.
Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary Debbie Abrahams, who applied for the debate, said last week had seen a "decisive vote on a motion to pause universal credit rollout".Labour's shadow work and pensions secretary Debbie Abrahams, who applied for the debate, said last week had seen a "decisive vote on a motion to pause universal credit rollout".
Waiting timeWaiting time
She said it was only the second such government defeat on an opposition motion in 40 years, with no response as yet from ministers. The last time the government lost such a motion it had made a statement within three-and-a-half hours, she added.She said it was only the second such government defeat on an opposition motion in 40 years, with no response as yet from ministers. The last time the government lost such a motion it had made a statement within three-and-a-half hours, she added.
Ms Abrahams said: "All previous governments have recognised that the failure to carry the House against an opposition motion is a serious rebuke to the government's policy on an issue, and has been treated accordingly.Ms Abrahams said: "All previous governments have recognised that the failure to carry the House against an opposition motion is a serious rebuke to the government's policy on an issue, and has been treated accordingly.
"This is even more important when the House has spoken on an issue that could dramatically affect the lives of up to seven million people, and they are the people who will be subject to the flawed universal credit programme.""This is even more important when the House has spoken on an issue that could dramatically affect the lives of up to seven million people, and they are the people who will be subject to the flawed universal credit programme."
Mr Bercow said the debate would end with a vote on a motion that the House "has considered" the matter raised by Ms Abrahams.Mr Bercow said the debate would end with a vote on a motion that the House "has considered" the matter raised by Ms Abrahams.
Mr Hinds told MPs that last week's vote was "legitimate" and the government had "taken much" from the earlier debate as it continued to "evolve and improve" the way universal credit operated.Mr Hinds told MPs that last week's vote was "legitimate" and the government had "taken much" from the earlier debate as it continued to "evolve and improve" the way universal credit operated.
Far from a "big bang approach", he said periodic pauses had been built into the roll-out - the next one coming in January - which meant it was taking effect "gradually in a considered way" over a nine-year period.Far from a "big bang approach", he said periodic pauses had been built into the roll-out - the next one coming in January - which meant it was taking effect "gradually in a considered way" over a nine-year period.
But Conservative MP Peter Aldous said claimants had to receive their initial payments "much quicker" and alternative arrangements put in place to stop people falling into rent arrears.But Conservative MP Peter Aldous said claimants had to receive their initial payments "much quicker" and alternative arrangements put in place to stop people falling into rent arrears.
Labour's Frank Field, who chairs the Commons work and pensions select committee, said its roll-out was likely to significantly increase the number of people having to resort to food banks to avoid going hungry. Labour's Frank Field, who chairs the Commons work and pensions select committee, said its roll-out was likely to significantly increase the number of people having to resort to food banks over Christmas to avoid going hungry.
And the SNP's Neil Gray said the government's inability to take difficult decisions on welfare showed it was "paralysed with fear and indecision" and bereft of "strategic direction".And the SNP's Neil Gray said the government's inability to take difficult decisions on welfare showed it was "paralysed with fear and indecision" and bereft of "strategic direction".
Downing Street is reported to be looking at reducing the waiting time from six weeks to a month - but the Department for Work and Pensions insists no changes will be made.Downing Street is reported to be looking at reducing the waiting time from six weeks to a month - but the Department for Work and Pensions insists no changes will be made.
The department says anyone struggling to make ends meet and pay bills can receive bridging payments within five days with same-day financial support for those in the most need.The department says anyone struggling to make ends meet and pay bills can receive bridging payments within five days with same-day financial support for those in the most need.