People on Lower Incomes Financial Support 2023-05-09
2023-05-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the financial strain on people with lower incomes.
What steps are being taken to support financially people on lower incomes?
The Government are taking action to protect struggling families by providing support, worth £3,300 per household on average over this year and last, to help with higher bills. That includes targeted support for the most vulnerable in our society through additional cost of living payments and the uprating of benefits by 10.1% this year. The Government have also increased the national living wage by 9.7%, representing an increase of more than £1,600 in the annual earnings of a full-time worker on the national living wage.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP is discussing the ongoing cost of living crisis in Rother Valley, focusing on additional strategies beyond existing government measures.
Does my right hon. Friend agree that the best support in the cost of living crisis, beyond the £94 billion that the Government have already spent, is the cutting of inflation to ease pressures—especially on food, fuel and energy—for families in Rother Valley and up and down the country?
I absolutely agree. The Government are doing three things to reduce inflation: we are remaining steadfast in supporting the independent Monetary Policy Committee at the Bank of England as it continues to take action to return inflation to target; we are making responsible decisions on tax and spending, so that we are not adding fuel to the fire; and we are tackling high energy prices by holding down energy bills for households and businesses, alongside investing in long-term energy security.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is inquiring about the effectiveness of government policies aimed at supporting low-income households.
Lowest-income households in my constituency are the biggest beneficiaries of a strong economy. Does my right hon. Friend agree that reducing debt, reducing inflation and balancing the books are the most effective Government interventions to support low-income households?
Absolutely. It is right that we continue support for the cost of living challenges. I have mentioned the energy price guarantee; we are also sticking to that plan to avoid unnecessary inflationary pressure.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask about reducing debt and balancing budgets was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or actions.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP expresses concern about the adequacy of government support for households in Rotherham, where residents face multiple increases and cuts.
I listened with interest to the answer that the Minister gave about support for households, but it does not match the reality in Rotherham, where constituents have had increases in rent, mortgages, fuel and food, as well as cuts to public services. What is he going to do to deliver the support that we need to make ends meet, because the offers on the table are not cutting it?
Everyone can see that the Government have made a range of interventions over the past two years, which means support for all of those on means-tested benefits—8 million people. Eight million pensioner households will benefit from the non-discretionary payments, effectively. The household support fund, which we repeated, provides another £1 billion to give local authorities discretion in individual circumstances to offer supplementary support.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific ask for additional measures or funding was not directly addressed with concrete commitments or actions beyond mentioning existing funds and programs.
Response accuracy