Poverty Reduction 2024-12-16
2024-12-16
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlighted a significant increase in food bank usage and long waiting times for community fridge access, indicating severe poverty levels. The Trussell Trust reported 61,000 emergency food parcels distributed in 2010 compared to 3.1 million in the last year.
In my constituency of Hemel Hempstead, according to figures given by DENS, there has been a 1,000% increase in people needing food banks over the past decade. Meanwhile, queues form an hour before opening for the community fridge. Does the Minister agree this is a shameful example of the previous Government's record on poverty? Will they outline steps to reduce the need for food banks?
The statistics provided by my hon. Friend align with those of the Trussell Trust, showing an increase from 61,000 emergency food parcels in 2010 to 3.1 million last year. We are committed to tripling investment in breakfast clubs to over £30 million and introducing a fair repayment rate for deductions from universal credit. The national living wage will be increased to £12.21 an hour from next April, benefiting 3 million workers. The child poverty taskforce is working extensively on this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions or timelines for reducing food bank usage were provided.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP reported a significant increase in food bank usage and long waiting times for community fridge access, indicating severe poverty levels. The Trussell Trust data shows an increase from 61,000 emergency food parcels distributed in 2010 to 3.1 million last year.
In my constituency of Hemel Hempstead, according to figures given by DENS, there has been a 1,000% increase in people needing food banks over the past decade. Meanwhile, queues form an hour before opening for the community fridge. Does the Minister agree this is a shameful example of the previous Government's record on poverty? Will they outline steps to reduce the need for food banks?
The statistics provided by my hon. Friend align with those of the Trussell Trust, showing an increase from 61,000 emergency food parcels in 2010 to 3.1 million last year. We are committed to tripling investment in breakfast clubs to over £30 million and introducing a fair repayment rate for deductions from universal credit. The national living wage will be increased to £12.21 an hour from next April, benefiting 3 million workers. The child poverty taskforce is working extensively on this issue.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific actions or timelines for reducing food bank usage were provided.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
A constituent has waited over 16 weeks for a pension credit application to be processed, while another is waiting more than 25 weeks overall for a mandatory reconsideration of disability living allowance. These delays are pushing people into poverty.
Delays in processing applications for benefits such as pension credit and disability living allowance push people into poverty. An 82-year-old constituent has waited over 16 weeks, while another is waiting more than 25 weeks overall. What steps will be taken to reduce delays in these processes?
We have increased staff numbers handling pension credit applications by over 500 and are working to deal with backlogs. We need to get through these backlogs.
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Assessment & feedback
No specific details on timelines or mechanisms for reducing delays were provided.
Response accuracy