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Conservative MP Ben Bradley says the previous system of benefits "traps people out of work."

He says a month into the rollout in his constituency, job centre staff "are happy that the system is working."

He asks for confirmation that "a million people who are disabled will see an increase" in the benefits they receive as a result of universal credit.

Mr Sharmer says he's pleased the system is working in the constituency and that he hears similarly positive meassages "when I go up and down the country."

He says Mr Bradley is right that over a million households will receive an "average of £110 more a month."

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Labour MP Jess Phillips says a vulnerable single working mother in her constituency, who along with her children was sexually assaulted, is £300 worse off as a result of Universal Credit.

"What will the minister do for people who get forced into Universal Credit as a result of a change in their circumstances that are none of their fault?", she asks.

The minister says support is available in the system, which is designed to assist people into work.

"We have got analysis that makes it very clear that people get into work faster, they stay in work longer and they earn more."

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Labour MP Angela Eagle says she has been told the "34% increase" in food bank use in her constituency is a result of the changeover to Universal Credit.

"Why is this happening?", she asks, stating that former Tory prime minister John Major has expressed concern at the system.

Mr Sharmer repeats that Labour voted against additional support being provided.

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SNP spokesman Neil Gray suggests the work and pensions secretary is "finally starting to recognise...the fundamental problems with Universal Credit."

But he warns that delaying the roll out won't "fix the misery being faced". He calls for "dramatic intervention in the budget" from the chancellor and a full review of Universal Credit thereafter.

Mr Sharmer says "matters for the budget are matters for the chancellor and the prime minister."

"If he is keen for universal credit to work properly, he should support the measures that we have bought in."

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Labour's work and pensions spokesperson Margaret Greenwood says Universal Credit is "causing severe hardship" and mixed messages from the government are creating confusion.

She asks for the government to publish its impact assessments on the next stage.

She lists organisations and individuals who have raised concerns about the scheme and calls on the government to "stop the rollout of universal credit".

Alok Sharmer says "there is no confusion on the government benches, the confusion is opposite...there is no clarity at all from that side of the House."

He says the government has assigned an additional £1.5bn for those experiencing hardship during the changeover, which he says Labour didn't vote for.

He adds that more people will claim the full benefits that they are entitled to under the new system.

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Independent MP Frank Field asks for a commitment that everyone who is transferred onto universal credit (UC) is not made worse off, and does not face hunger or destitution.

He also asks for clarity about debt recovery, the "encouragement not discouragement" of self-employed people who are on UC, and a guarantee that child care payments are made up front for mothers.

Minister Alok Sharmer says the government has "made it very clear" that there will be transitional protections in place, with those on severe disability premiums protected.

On debt recovery, he repeats that he won't comment on "rumours". He says the government is committed to supporting entrepreneurs.

"In terms of childcare, up to 85% of childcare costs are recoverable under universal credit, that is an important improvement that has been made", he adds.

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Work and Pensions Minister Alok Sharmer says it is right that ministers are held to account, but there has been "a great deal of speculation about universal credit in the last few days".

"I cannot comment on speculation", he tells MPs.

He says ministers are committed to introducing universal credit slowly and they remain so. He says the "wider process" of moving people from the older system will begin next year.

He says this will be managed slowly in order to ensure any issues can be addressed.

The government remains committed to introducing the new system over the timescale of 2019 to 2023, he adds.

Image source, PA

Questions to business ministers ends, and MPs now move to their urgent question on the nationwide rollout of universal credit.

Leaked documents seen by the BBC show that ministers are planning to further delay the rollout of the new system, which will merge six benefits into one payment.

Work and Pensions Secretary Esther McVey had previously said the rollout would be "slow and measured", starting next year will a "a small amount of people".

The system was supposed to be up and running by April 2017, but is now not expected to be fully operational until December 2023.

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MPs move onto topical questions.

Shadow postal minister Gill Furniss says the "publicly owned Post Office" will be closing 74 crown post offices, with the CWU union estimating that £30m of public money will be spent on compromise agreements.

She says the Post Office needs to be transparent about how much franchising is costing.

Minister Kelly Tolhurst says the number of post offices is not being reduced, with 40 being relocated and a rise in the number of Post Offices in branches of WH Smith.

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Labour's Nic Dakin calls for action on business rates, which he says are affecting small high street businesses.

The business secretary says the government has reformed business rates.

He adds that he is sure the chancellor will listen to further suggestions in this area made by the Retail Sector Council.

Shadow business secretary Rebecca Long Bailey asks whether there will be any "concrete" measures taken, calling for a "substantial reduction in the burden on small business of business rates."

Ms Long Bailey says business groups warned before the last Autumn statement about business rates and their impact, yet "we only saw tinkering."

"Just what is going on?", she asks. "Will there be more tinkering, or action from the chancellor?"

Mr Clark acknowledges that business rate changes can help businesses, and suggests that it is reasonable to reflect the contribution high street businesses make to communities in this way.

Shadow energy and climate change minister Barry Gardiner picks up on yesterday's news that ministers have asked the Committee on Climate Change for guidance on how the UK might move towards zero emissions of greenhouse gases.

The letter, he says, stated that carbon budgets were "out of the scope" of the request.

He suggests this approach is "pushing back the necessary change by 12 years."

Energy Minister Claire Perry calls for the opposition to stop criticising the government's attempts to improve things.

"It would be lovely to have some cross-party consensus on this, I do live in hope", she adds.

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Conservative MP Henry Smith asks how economic growth is being supported as part of measures to reduce emissions.

Clean growth minister Claire Perry says the UK has "led the developed world in cutting emissions" whilst supporting businesses. "Growth and green go hand in hand," she says.

Labour MP Thangam Debbonaire calls for more investment in tidal and wave power, which she describes as "two resources we have in abundance."

Ms Perry says the problem previously seen with tidal products is that the government is asked to fund "the most expensive power station ever created", with few jobs created.

She says it has to present value for money.

Pepper the robot answers questions from MPs on the education select committee about helping to care for older people.

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Labour's Lucy Powell jokes that Pepper is better than some of the ministers. She asks the students of Middlesex University about the work they have done with the robot.

Joana Da Cunha Miranda replies that Pepper is extra-curricular and they use her a lot for events to promote STEM subjects. She says she is helping Pepper to teach primary school children simple maths.

Conservative MP William Wragg asks if the technology extends to critical thinking and problem solving.

Executive Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Professor Martin Loomes replies that "technology is difficult" and term artificial intelligence is a "moving target".

He adds what is done with the technology should be led by teachers.

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Labour's Mohammad Yasin asks about the proposed merger between Sainsbury's and Asda, and its impact on staff.

Greg Clark says Sainsbury's has confirmed that there are no planned closures as a result of the merger, which still remains proposed.

Mr Yasin says it is vital that workers' concerns are heard. He asks if the Competitions and Markets Authority should have a workers' voice. Mr Clark says companies have an obligation to their workforce.

Labour's Ellie Reeves asks the business secretary to meet with unions to address concerns.

He says he's happy to meet with them, and has had assurances from the company that employee terms and conditions won't change.

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The SNP's Peter Grant asks business ministers about the effect on Scottish businesses of the UK leaving the EU's internal market.

Business Secretary Greg Clark says that reaching a good agreement with the EU "will have a positive effect on businesses" across the UK.

Mr Grant says uncertainty is damaging businesses and suggests Brexit has already led to a loss of £900 per household.

The business secretary says this "underlines why we should secure a deal," suggesting that "there is a substantial upside to the economy."

He adds that the SNP wants to take Scotland "out of the international market of the United Kingdom," so he won't take lessons from them.

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Pepper is asked what the role of humans will be in the fourth industrial revolution.

Pepper replies that robots will play an "important" role but will always need humans' "unique" skills to derive value from technology.

Pepper adds a "new way" of thinking is needed by tomorrow's workers. She says people will need to "spot ideas" and think "across traditional sector divides".

She tells the committee she has been working with students, to adapt her interface for primary school children with or without special needs.

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MPs begin the day with questions to the Business Secretary Greg Clark and his team of ministers.

There are then three urgent questions - the first of which is from work and pensions committee chairman Frank Field about the roll-out of universal credit.

Leaked documents seen by the BBC show ministers are planning to further delay the rollout of the flagship welfare changes.

After this, shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth will ask an urgent question on the NHS clinical waste scandal.

The third urgent question, from Labour MP John Mann, requests reaction from the government to yesterday's report into bullying in the House of Commons.

The day's main legislating is consideration of Lords amendments to the Rating (Property in Common Occupation) and Council Tax (Empty Dwellings) Bill.

MPs will also vote on a money resolution to fund a private member's bill which would end the 15-year time limit currently placed on overseas voters voting in UK parliamentary elections.

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Conservative Chair Robert Halfon jokes that the committee is not auditioning for the next Matrix film, before asking Pepper the robot what her role is.

Pepper replies that she is a Japanese and EU research project, developing the world's first culturally aware robots to care for the elderly.

She tells the committee that this could relieve pressure in care homes and hospitals, meaning more care delivery at home, whilst promoting the independence of older people.

Pepper says that for robots to be "acceptable" for older people, they need to be programmed to adapt to "diverse backgrounds."

She adds the project aims to reduce loneliness and people's improve quality of life.

Image source, SOFTBANK ROBOTICS

We're now leaving our coverage of the science and technology committee, to switch out attention to the education committee's inquiry on the "fourth industrial revolution".

This morning, MPs are taking evidence from Pepper, "a culturally aware" robot designed to assist with the care of older people.

MPs will question Pepper - who is part of an international research project funded by the EU and the Japanese government - on the likely impact of artificial intelligence.

You can watch a live stream of the committee here, external.