Speeches by Darling.

“Welcome. I would like to turn to the Timms review. Under your watch the terms of reference have been changed, to talk about sustainability of PIP within the track lines of the OBR’s projections. There is a risk that those who have engaged with this process may fear that they are aiding the axeman in respect of PIP. Wha…”

“On 30 September, I had the privilege of participating in the Baton of Hope relay across Torbay, which is an initiative that propagates conversations around suicide. The impact that it had across our communities in Torbay was amazing. Does my hon. Friend agree that the more conversations we have about suicide, the more …”

“Fair enough. Last winter there was very much a focus on those who received pension credit getting the winter fuel payment, and a drive to get more people on pension credit, which is really important and was successful. I note that about 200 local authorities engaged positively with the Government on that. I have two an…”

“I believe it has gone on for some time.”

“We had the pleasure of meeting yesterday and we talked about stopping having a siloed approach to tackling some of the issues that DWP is there to tackle. Is there a greater opportunity to work with HMRC or others to try to draw more pensioners into receiving pension credit?”

“Thank you. The Social Security Advisory Committee has highlighted a bit of an injustice: older people who are in residential care homes do not benefit from winter fuel payments to support their current living situation. What plans do you have to remedy this injustice?”

“I hear that argument, but I suggest that there have been significant increases in fuel costs for residential care homes as well. They have faced their own challenges, and that support through the winter fuel allowance would be helpful. Is that something that you would explore, or is it not really on the table?”

“In the last two winters, we have seen two approaches on winter fuel payments. What learnings has the Department taken on winter fuel payments that can be applied to policy?”

“As somebody who has been registered blind since the age of 18, I have benefited from the Access to Work scheme. However, I am just in a bubble of my own. Michelle, I would welcome some reflections about those who might have fluctuating conditions. Also, you said you are with an employer with a number of people with dis…”

“Thank you. Any brief reflections from other members of the panel?”

“I want to focus on Access to Work, which is meant to be there to help. Sometimes it appears there are barriers with Access to Work. What barriers around Access to Work have you found—some of that has already been unpacked—and what is on the horizon? Are you aware of any other barriers that could be coming your way?”

“I think there is movement towards the Government encouraging employers to share more of the burden of the Access to Work costs. How reasonable is that?”

“Any other reflections from other members of the panel?”

“That is really helpful; thank you. Do other panel members have any brief reflections?”

“Evan, Geoff alluded to the proposal to end the work capability assessment, which was going to be explored in a White Paper that the Government said would be published this autumn. However, it appears to have been walked away from. What are the implications of walking away from this White Paper? What reflections do you …”

“What hopes and fears do you have given the vacuum that now exists?”

“We went from one extreme to the other extreme. Where is the sweet spot for face-to-face assessments?”

“I apologise for inadvertently using the word “you” the last time that I spoke, Mr Speaker. Clearly, the clock is ticking for WASPI women. There are 3.6 million WASPI women across the United Kingdom, which is half a million more than the population of Wales. Sadly, a WASPI woman dies every 13 minutes. I welcome the stat…”

“A Torquay solicitor has recently told me of multiple occasions when there has been a lack of security staff to convey convicted criminals from Newton Abbot magistrates court to prison. On one occasion, one individual started self-harming. On another occasion, an individual waited and then absconding because the buildin…”

“I thank the Government for the steps taken to improve the Bill since it was debated in Committee. We as Liberal Democrats still have grave concerns about elements of the Bill, but it is in a much better place, and I thank all colleagues for working together collaboratively to drive for improvements. Clearly, fraud is w…”