New Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd blasted the UN for UK report on extreme poverty
NEW Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd tore into the UN yesterday as she made a belligerent return to the despatch box.
Speaking in the Commons she rubbished a UN special report on extreme poverty in Britain branding it “wholly inappropriate”.
The former Home Secretary - returned to the front bench after a six month hiatus - accused UN special rapporteur Philip Alston of being “extraordinarily political”.
It came after he published a preliminary report condemning the Government’s attitude towards poverty.
He wrote: “Government policies have inflicted great misery unnecessarily, especially on the working poor, on single mothers struggling against mighty odds, on people with disabilities who are already marginalised, and on millions of children.”
Ms Rudd said she read the report over the weekend saying he had “discredited” his own findings. She raged: “I must say I was disappointed to say the least by the extraordinary political nature of his language.
“We on this side of the House will always engage with professionals, with experts, with NGOs.
“We are not so proud we don’t think we can learn as we try to adjust Universal Credit for the benefit of everybody.
“But that sort of language was wholly inappropriate and actually discredited a lot of what he was saying.”
The Cabinet minister also pledged to tackle “problems” with Universal Credit.
MOST READ IN POLITICS
She said of the Government’s flagship welfare reform: “It is good that employment has risen to record levels of 75 per cent as stated just recently.
“But I know there are problems with Universal Credit despite its good intentions. I’ve seen them for myself.
“I will be listening and learning from the expert groups in this area who do so much good work. I know it can be better.”
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL [email protected]