Dr Philippa Whitford MP Presents a Ten Minuet Rule Bill

SNP Westminster spokesperson on Health Dr Philippa Whitford MP has written to the Tory minister David Gauke urging the UK government to use next week’s Budget to sort out the ‘damaging and destructive’ roll out of Universal Credit (UC).
 
Dr Whitford’s constituency of Central Ayrshire is one of the next areas selected for roll out - and the start date will coincide with the Chancellor’s Budget on Wednesday. There are widespread concerns about delays in payments and the flawed advance payments system – which can lead to people going deeply into debt.
 
In her letter to David Gauke the Work and Pensions Secretary - Dr Whitford also raises the issue of  the UC single recipient system – which can hit people in controlling or abusive relationships – writing:
 
‘’I am also concerned for claimants who are in controlling or abusive relationships and who stay because they cannot afford to leave. The Universal Credit single recipient system risks trapping women in dangerous partnerships. No woman should have to decide between poverty and abuse.’’   

Dr Whitford will be presenting a Ten Minute Rule Bill  at Westminster on the 27th November to ask again that the Government shortens the waiting time for the first payment from a minimum of 6 weeks to one month. The Bill proposes some pragmatic improvements such as a longer payback period for advanced payments, the option of twice monthly payments and direct landlord payments. It also asks for a move away from single recipient system.

ABC Comment: Ten Minute Rule Bills. Ten Minute Rule Bills are a type of Private Members' Bill that are introduced in the House of Commons under Standing Order No 23. The ten minute rule allows a backbench MP to make his or her case for a new Bill in a speech lasting up to ten minutes. If the MP is successful the Bill is taken to have had its first reading.