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Question
The Minister is asked to respond to criticisms regarding the rising number of disabled people in poverty, increased child and pensioner poverty rates due to inflation, and the failure to address mortgage premium costs.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the support package's significance but did not directly address specific issues. Mentioned structured support and discretionary local authority funding. Highlighted employment reforms and economic challenges globally.
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Question
The MP appreciates the disability cost of living payment package but expresses concern that it will not address rising mortgage costs for those on benefits.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the issue, noting ongoing conversations about housing challenges and commitment to relay concerns to Treasury colleagues.
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Question
The MP thanks the Minister but criticises the lack of new information in the statement and calls for a reflection on Scope's report emphasising the £975 monthly extra cost of disability. He invites the Minister to meet Glasgow Disability Alliance.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the alignment between the support package and disability payment, highlighting ongoing review and commitment to visit all parts of the UK.
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Question
The MP re-emphasises the point made by his colleague about mortgage changes, expressing concern over constituents' fear regarding rising costs.
Minister reply
Acknowledged the significant issue and emphasised the Government's commitment to tackling inflationary pressures as the best way to help those in that situation.
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Question
The cost of living payments have made a vital contribution but the need for them reflects the historically low level of benefits, especially after removing the £20 uplift. Does the Minister consider consolidating these one-off payments into mainstream benefits to aid budgeting?
Minister reply
The Secretary of State will consider all matters in his annual review of benefits and pension levels through formal processes. The Government is spending significant sums on disability support, with forecasts showing an increase in real terms compared to 2010.
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Question
Welcoming the £150 payments and energy bill support, does the Minister agree that employment is key for helping vulnerable individuals out of poverty?
Minister reply
Agrees with Aaron Bell on the importance of work in reducing pressures and unlocking potential through collaboration with employers via schemes like Access to Work Plus.
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Question
With £33 billion cut from working-age budgets, the temporary one-off payments do not address the core issue. When will the uplift increase?
Minister reply
Energy costs are a key pressure; considering wholesale market reform for social tariffs in collaboration with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
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Question
Citing Scope's 'Disability Price Tag', does the Minister agree that carer’s allowance is ripe for reform, given its impact on work and caring responsibilities?
Minister reply
Considers carer’s allowance in annual uprating deliberations, praising Wendy Chamberlain's Carer’s Leave Act 2023.
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Question
Families are struggling with high energy prices, interest rates, and rent issues. What measures will the Minister take to address these housing pressures?
Minister reply
Addresses Derek Twigg's concerns regarding ongoing work on challenges, asking Mims Davies for a detailed response.
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Question
With additional costs of nearly £1,000 a month in rural areas, should the Government not compensate people and restore the £20 universal credit uplift?
Minister reply
No plan to restore the £20 uplift but will evaluate cost of living payments this autumn and work closely with the disability unit on cost challenges.
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Question
Children going hungry, increased food prices. Does the Minister think current support is sufficient to stop rising hunger?
Minister reply
Food inflation is significant both in and outside of UK; £94 billion Government package supports families through household support fund.
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Question
A constituent missed the deadline for alternative fuels payment scheme. Can you raise this issue with relevant Minister to reopen the scheme?
Minister reply
Will gladly share details with relevant Minister at Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
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Question
It is worth noting that the UK Government were the first to be investigated by the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities for their treatment of disabled people. The disability price tag is around £975 extra a month, and the woeful support provided will not meet these additional needs.
Minister reply
I reiterate that people often receive multiple parts of the comprehensive cost of living support. My experience from speaking to counterparts at the UN last week was that people often look to the United Kingdom as being a world leader on these matters.
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Question
Many disabled people are trying to get into work but face delays in getting support from Access to Work, leading to job losses. Will the Minister review this and help disabled people afford more?
Minister reply
The hon. Lady knows my determination to deliver on greater employment opportunities for disabled people. We are putting additional resource into Access to Work to get through applications quicker.
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Question
The Resolution Foundation estimates that mortgage payers will pay an average of £2,900 more in the next year due to increases in interest rates. How many people on pension credit applied for mortgage interest support? How many pensioners are facing rising interest rates faster than their pensions?
Minister reply
I do not have those figures to hand but will take that request away and ask ministerial colleagues in the Department to respond.
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Question
There is no room for complacency. My constituents are desperate, and today’s announcement will do nothing to help them. Will the Minister look at the essentials guarantee that would see a consistent uplift in all benefits?
Minister reply
I encourage people to apply for any support they might be eligible for. The household support fund is being delivered in her community.
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Question
Has the Minister done any analysis of the impact that reinstating the universal credit uplift had and will look at replicating across the whole of the UK the Scottish child payment?
Minister reply
We have no plans to replicate the Scottish child payment here in England. I will happily look at the wider report.
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Question
The cost of living crisis has had an impact on businesses such as Lomas News, whose energy bills went up by 400%. The support is not enough.
Minister reply
We are continuing to provide comprehensive support to both individuals and businesses. I hope the hon. Member will subscribe to the Government’s overarching mission to get inflation down.