Cost of Living 2023-04-19
2023-04-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Inquires about discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in Wales, following recent reports.
What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in Wales. Household incomes are falling at a record rate and energy costs remain high.
I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of topics. The Government provide total support of more than £94 billion across the UK to help households, at an average of over £3,300 per household.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address specific ask about recent discussions in Wales on cost of living
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerned about food inflation reaching 19% while household incomes are falling, questioning excessive profits by retailers.
Household incomes are falling at the fastest rate since records began. Food inflation is now at 19%. Does he agree this is a cost of greed crisis? When will the Government tackle profiteering?
The Government are serious about dealing with inflation, aiming to halve it over the next year. Pensions and benefits have risen in line with inflation.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address profiteering by retailers or specific ask regarding excessive profits
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Concerned about proposed universal basic income, questioning if it is fair to taxpayers.
Government continues spending on supporting family incomes. Is giving free cash including to young asylum seekers responsible welfare?
My right hon. Friend is correct. The Welsh Labour party proposes a poorly targeted UBI, exempting asylum seekers from legal bills. This Government support vulnerable people by raising pensions and benefits with inflation.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address discussions about universal basic income specifically
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Welsh Labour Government increased education maintenance allowance to £40 a week, questioned about UK Government's discussions with Cabinet.
Last week, Welsh Labour increased EMA to £40. I am proud of our support for students. Can he share what discussions he is having with Cabinet to follow Wales' lead?
There are no circumstances under which the UK Conservative Government would want to follow Welsh Labour's policies like raising taxes, a tourism tax, and scrapping meal deals.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address any discussions with Cabinet or support for EMA increase
Disincentivizing Illegal Entry
Rejecting Universal Basic Income
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Questions the Secretary of State about prioritizing support for asylum seekers over Welsh citizens, referencing Labour's policies.
Welsh Labour Government is prioritising support for those who have illegally entered UK over maximising cost of living support for Welsh citizens. Does he agree?
My hon. Friend is correct, we are not prepared to see universal basic incomes and legal funding provided to people who should not be in this country.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address cost of living support for Welsh citizens specifically
Disincentivizing Illegal Entry
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Questions the Secretary of State about recent tax measures, high food prices, and support for Welsh households.
Inflation is over 10%, Chancellor froze personal allowances. Food prices have increased by almost 25%. How does he expect Welsh households to afford essentials?
The Government support vulnerable people, while Wales squanders money on extra Senedd Members and a relief road. The UK has spent £400 billion during covid.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address how Welsh households will afford essentials specifically
Waste Of Taxpayer'S Money
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Questions the Secretary of State about pension policies and falling inflation, criticizes protection for super-wealthy.
Inflation is still over 10%. Falling inflation does not mean prices are falling. If Cabinet Ministers cannot get a grip on basics, how can they help households?
First, the pension increase was for doctors as Labour had called for. Food prices are rising due to policies like scrapping meal deals.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address actions to support households specifically
Scrapping Meal Deals
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Malcolm Atherton and Beth Cluer run a café in Trawsfynydd facing closure due to high energy bills. Small and medium-sized businesses employ 62.6% of Welsh workers but received no additional support from the Chancellor in the spring Budget.
My constituents Malcolm Atherton and Beth Cluer have had to hibernate their business due to cripplingly high energy bills. Despite employing 62.6% of Welsh workers, small businesses got no additional support with energy bills in the spring Budget. Will the Secretary of State urge his colleagues to increase energy support for these businesses?
The Government have provided an unprecedented package of subsidies worth £18 billion, including a freeze on fuel duty. Supporting businesses through this difficult time remains a priority for the Conservative Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to urging Treasury colleagues to increase energy support specifically for small businesses
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Thames Water wastes 630 million litres of water daily through leaky pipes and plans to move water from Wales. This practice diverts Welsh resources elsewhere without recompense or consultation with local people.
Thames Water wastes 630 million litres of water every day, planning to move vast volumes from Wales despite the waste issue. Local resources are diverted without recompense or consultation. As Secretary of State for Wales, will he activate section 48 of the Wales Act 2017 so that decisions about Welsh resources are made by the people of Wales?
I am not responsible for Thames Water, but regular meetings with Welsh Water have not raised this issue. Welsh Water needs to reduce leakage and sewage in rivers; accountability is the responsibility of the Welsh Labour Government.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address the specific request to activate section 48 for water resource management decisions
Not Responsible For Thames Water
Accountability Is For Welsh Labour Government
Response accuracy