DWP Secretary David Gauke accused of snubbing Commons after not attending Universal Credit emergency debate

'Yet another snub to Parliament,' said the Labour MP Chris Bryant

David Gauke, the Work and Pensions Secretary, has been accused of snubbing Parliament after he failed to turn up to an emergency debate on the rollout of Universal Credit.

In his place Damian Hinds, the employment minister, was sent to face questions in the Commons over the rollout of the Government’s flagship welfare programme.

Addressing the Commons Debbie Abrahams, the Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “I always welcome the minister to his place, but I would like to ask why the Secretary of State isn’t here to answer.

“Obviously I understand that emergencies do happen, but I haven’t had any satisfactory response from his office when I rang earlier, and apparently Downing Street are none the wiser.”

Chris Bryant, the Labour MP for Rhondda, added: “Yet another snub to Parliament.”

But the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) insisted that it is "perfectly normal" for a minister to lead the debate on Universal Credit, which is in his portfolio.

“The Secretary of State has been dealing with departmental business and participated in a debate on Universal Credit just last week, after giving evidence to the Work and Pensions Select Committee. The points in the debates are being listened to," a DWP source added.

The emergency debate was granted after the Government suffered a humiliating defeat in the Commons last week as Labour’s non-binding motion – aiming to halt the rollout of the programme ahead of its planned acceleration – was passed by 299 votes to zero.

The main anxiety over the rollout from MP centres on the initial six-weeks claimants have to wait before receiving their first Universal Credit payment after transferring from the legacy benefits system.

Ms Abrahams added during Tuesday’s debate that food banks are “running out” of food parcels ahead of the Christmas period and repeated her call for the programme to be halted.

Labour MP Angela Eagle added that a pause in Universal Credit was “urgent”, adding: “In Wallasey the roll-out will begin halfway through November, six weeks later it is Christmas.

“The [DWP] will not be open on Christmas Day, which means many of my constituents will have to wait until the new year for any assistance, which is why our local food bank is looking to collect 15 tonnes of extra food to deal with the demand.

Ms Abrahams continued: “Food banks are running out of food as this scheme is being rolled out.”

But Mr Hinds, who had stepped in for the Secretary of State, said the approach to Universal Credit is “careful and measured” and that the Government’s gradual approach means it can “continually adjust and evolve” the programme.

On the abstention last week he continued: “The decision on whether to vote is a matter for MPs and their parties – legitimate not to vote.”

During the debate Douglas Ross, a Conservative MP who missed last week’s vote to officiate a Champions League football match in Barcelona, also defended Universal Credit.

Speaking as MPs debated the policy, Mr Ross took aim at SNP MP John McNally, who brandished a red card during last week's Prime Minister's Questions as he criticised the Tory MP.

“You will be aware that I received much criticism for missing the Universal Credit debate last week, so I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this week's, six days on from the last time we discussed it,” Mr Ross said.

“I do, however, note that [Mr McNally] is not here in the chamber, on this of all days.”

He did not take any interventions from MPs, saying: “I'm sorry, I would simply say to members opposite, who were very critical that I wasn't here to represent my constituents' views, and therefore I think during my four minutes I will use that opportunity to speak up for them.”

Heidi Allen, the Conservative MP who sits on Parliament’s Work and Pensions Select Committee and who has repeatedly raised concerns over the rollout of the policy, asked Ms Abrahams whether reducing the six-week wait to four would be “acceptable” for Labour.

Ms Abrahams replied: “It needs to happen urgently. This is already happening - already 55 areas this month are having full service rolled-out to them.

“The cold months are upon us. Christmas will be around the corner any moment now. We need an urgent response now.”