Mark Isherwood asked me how I respond to a whole series of statistics that he read out. I respond in this way: the people who should be apologising for these appalling figures are the Conservative Government, who have implemented the most heartless, pitiless, merciless regime of universal credit that the world has ever known—[Interruption.] Let me quote you some statistics. [Interruption.] Let me quote you some statistics.

The current level of benefit is 12.5 per cent of an average wage. In 1948, when the welfare state was created by the Labour Party, it was 20 per cent. In the Elizabethan era, in 1599, under the poor laws, it was 16.5. So, congratulations, you have lowered—lowered—the standard of living for poor people in this country from where it was in the Elizabethan era. You are the people who should be apologising, not this Government.

This Government has done an enormous amount to mitigate the effects of a cruel and heartless Tory Government that has imposed a bedroom tax—a bedroom tax. How long after your child has died do you have to start paying more money on the room that they have vacated? How long? Do you know? No, I doubt it. How long before you accept that a woman with three children—three children—has to prove that she was raped to get support for that third child? How dare you tell me to apologise for anything. You should be ashamed.