Rachel Gilmour MP raises concerns to Prime Minister over access to DWP support

MP for Tiverton and Minehead, Rachel Gilmour, has today delivered her first question directly to the Prime Minister during Prime Minister’s Questions, raising concerns over access to the Department of Work and Pension (DWP) support for those in trying circumstances.

Referencing ongoing casework, Mrs. Gilmour mentioned the plight of a constituent named Molly from Tiverton, who is a single mother caring for a child with cancer. Molly is currently unable to work due to her caring responsibilities and is raising her children as a single mother.

Without a sustainable income, since January, Molly has been trying to claim the Disability Living Allowance and Universal Credit that she is entitled to. However, at every stage, she has encountered bureaucracy and ‘frustrating’ systems within the DWP.

Consequently, Molly has had ongoing difficulties with her housing situation and is currently at risk of being made homeless. Moreover, Molly is also out of pocket due to the backdating of DWP payments, and the fact that up until recently, she had not been made aware of her ability to reclaim costs for journeys to and from her daughter’s hospital appointments whilst on Universal Credit. 

Following her work with Molly, Mrs. Gilmour asked the Prime Minister if he could assure her, and others like her across the country, that his Government is doing all that it can to help; extending him a visit Tiverton and Minehead to see the impact of these challenges first-hand; as well as asking for him to work with her to find a solution for Molly.

The Prime Minister responded to Mrs. Gilmour, stating:

“I thank her for raising this, and I am deeply sorry to hear about Molly’s situation.

We are improving the lives of those who need it, but what I’ll do, with her permission…the Secretary of State of the DWP has just said to me, ‘I will look into the case’, and so if she could provide the details, I will make sure that it gets proper attention and that we can deal with the particular problem she has raised. I am grateful to her, and I’m sure Molly is, for raising it, and I hope that now we can take the action that’s necessary.”

Following Prime Minister’s Questions, MP for Tiverton and Minehead, Rachel Gilmour, said:

“Molly’s situation is an incredibly sad one, and I know that there will be others like her across the Tiverton and Minehead constituency and the rest of the UK. 

Following the Prime Minister’s response to my question, I am now writing to the DWP to resolve Molly’s difficulties in accessing Disability Living Allowance and Universal Credit, as well as working towards wider solutions for those in similar circumstances. 

As the MP for Tiverton and Minehead, I will always put constituents first, and I am glad that the Prime Minister and the Government are now aware of the challenges people face accessing DWP support.”