Government questioned on benefits underpayments
18 October 2018
Labour's Shadow Minister for Disabled People, Marsha de Cordova, asked an urgent question on the underpayment of Employment and Support Allowance.
Employment and Support Allowance (or ESA) provides people who are ill or disabled financial support if they are unable to work or personalised support for those who are able to work.
Sarah Newton responded to the question on behalf of the Government, claiming that the Department for Work and Pensions is already correcting some historic ESA underpayments. She stressed that "clearly the mistakes shouldn't have happened" and acknowledged it was vital that this was sorted a soon as possible.
Marsha de Cordova responded, questioning the government on what support they will provide to the estates of ill and disabled people who have passed away before they received back payments.
- Watch Parliament TV: ESA underpayments
- Read Commons Hansard: ESA underpayments
- Read Commons Library briefing: ESA and PIP reassessments
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