Benefit Levels 2024-02-05
2024-02-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question arises from the need to assess whether current benefit levels are sufficient given rising inflation and its impact on low-income families.
What recent assessment he has made of the adequacy of levels of benefits. The rate of inflation for low-paid families is higher than the headline rate, leaving many struggling even worse this year compared to last year. Citizens Advice shows that low-income families have less disposable income in 2023-24.
Welfare is there to help the most vulnerable, which is why benefits were increased by 6.7% for 2024-25 and by 10.1% in 2023-24.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific issue of higher inflation rates for low-income families was not directly addressed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from the observation that low-income families are struggling more due to higher inflation rates compared to the general population, leading to decreased disposable income.
Despite benefit increases, inflation for low-paid families is significantly higher. Families on low incomes have less disposable income this year than last year. Does he accept it's time to introduce an essentials guarantee so no one on universal credit or another income-based benefit falls below basic essentials?
Benefits are under review, and measures include increasing the national living wage by about 10% over two years, raising local housing allowance to the 30th percentile worth £800 a year for 1.6 million people, and tax cuts of £450 a year for an average earner.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about introducing an essentials guarantee was not addressed.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
There is criticism that the government focuses on penalising people through measures like the two-child cap, despite known policy failures in the benefits system.
Rather than address policy failures within the benefits system, the Government seems focused on penalties like the two-child cap. The Labour party recently prioritised lifting bankers' bonuses caps over working women's benefits caps. Does he take comfort that his cruel legacy will be protected by Labour?
I am not going to engage in crossfire between parties, other than to note—[Interruption.]
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Assessment & feedback
The question about policy failures and political alignment was entirely avoided.
Crossfire Avoidance
Response accuracy