Poverty Reduction 2025-09-01 (1)
2025-09-01
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Leadbitter highlighted the issue of pensioners in poverty and criticized Better Together's claim during the independence referendum about pensions being more affordable when Scotland is part of the UK. He questioned what benefits Scottish pensioners have received from the Union beyond impoverishment.
Two million pensioners in the UK are in poverty, and the British state pension is among the worst in north-west Europe. During the independence referendum, Better Together claimed that our pensions are more affordable when Scotland is part of the UK. Eleven years on, will the Minister tell me exactly what the Union is doing for Scottish pensioners, other than impoverishing them?
Investing an additional £31 billion in the triple lock over this Parliament is delivering huge benefits to pensioners in Scotland, as are our measures to drive up the uptake of pension credit in order to help the very poorest pensioners; our measures to stabilise the economy; and our investment in the NHS, on which many pensioners rely. I am proud of the action that we are taking. Given that this Government have agreed and are giving Scotland its biggest ever funding settlement, the hon. Gentleman should ask some challenging questions of his Government, to ensure that they deliver for Scotland’s pensioners, too.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not directly address what Union benefits Scottish pensioners receive beyond impoverishment, focusing instead on government initiatives and funding settlements.
Focused On Government Initiatives
Redirected To Snp'S Responsibility
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Shanker highlighted the issue of child food poverty in Derby, noting that one in four kids lived in poverty and local charities like the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance handed out 20,000 food parcels last year. He asked for specific measures to address this problem.
Last year, a staggering one in four kids in Derby lived in poverty. Our local charities, such as the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance, do amazing work; last year, they handed out 20,000 food parcels. Will the Secretary of State ensure that the upcoming child poverty strategy addresses the root causes of child food poverty, so that parents are not left struggling to put tea on the table?
I understand very well the issue that my hon. Friend raises. As a former chair of Feeding Leicester, the programme to end hunger in my city, I see only too clearly the links between poverty and dependence on emergency food parcels. I am very proud that we have already slashed deductions in universal credit and extended the crisis and resilience fund, providing it with its first three-year funding settlement. There is much more to do. We want to make sure that children have hungry minds, not hungry bellies, and we are determined to deliver that.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer did not provide a direct commitment to address the root causes of child food poverty in Derby specifically.
General Statements About Tackling Hunger
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Bedford noted that youth unemployment has risen by 6% since the general election and questioned how the Secretary of State would address this issue with the Chancellor ahead of the Budget.
The best way to reduce poverty is for people to be in work, but as a result of this Government’s damaging economic policies, we have seen youth unemployment rise by 6% since the general election. What representations will the Secretary of State make to the Chancellor ahead of the Budget to ensure that more damage is not done?
The Labour party believes that everybody who can work must work. The hon. Gentleman should look at his own party’s record: progress on the disability employment gap and the lone parent employment rate stalled under its watch, and economic inactivity rose. We are the only country in the G7 whose employment rate has not got back to pre-pandemic levels. We are overhauling our employment system to help more people into work, and to get on in work. I am proud of our record; maybe he should look at his own.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not address youth unemployment or discuss planned representations with the Chancellor.
Redirected Blame To The Conservative Party
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Duncan-Jordan questioned why the socioeconomic duty, included in the Equality Act 2010 to address inequalities through strategic decisions by public bodies, has not been enacted in England.
Tackling poverty should be a key priority of any Government who wish to see their people thrive. The Equality Act 2010 includes a socioeconomic duty on all public bodies to address inequalities “when making strategic decisions”. When will that duty be enacted in England?
My hon. Friend raises a really important point. Throughout its work, the DWP is already looking at how to narrow the gaps between different parts of the country and different groups of people. We have set our jobcentres and employment systems new targets for reducing those gaps, and we are taking cross-Government action to tackle child poverty. We have achieved a lot. There is a lot more to do, but this Government, unlike Opposition Members, have made tackling poverty an absolute priority. Our child poverty strategy is coming out in the autumn, so I ask hon. Members to watch this space.
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Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide a specific timeline for enacting the socioeconomic duty but acknowledged its importance.
Acknowledged Importance Without Committing
Response accuracy