Inflation 2023-05-09

2023-05-09

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Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Context
Inflation rates are high and impacting the economy. The questioner seeks an update on progress made by the government.
What progress has been made on reducing the rate of inflation?
The Government's three economic priorities this year are to halve inflation, grow the economy, and get debt falling. This will require patience and discipline. Countries around the world are facing rising prices and we will not be able to make that go away overnight, but by sticking to our plan, we will halve inflation this year and help to ease the pressures that people are facing.
Assessment & feedback
Under Review Requires Patience
Response accuracy
Q2 Direct Answer
Context
Food prices are rising faster than the overall average and affecting low-income households. The questioner seeks information on government measures to address this.
Is there any good news at all from His Majesty's Treasury about the prospects for food price inflation over the next 12 months?
My hon. Friend is a doughty champion for his constituents. The Office for Budget Responsibility this year does expect food, tobacco and alcohol inflation to fall significantly, and that is not all. The Government recognise the challenges facing households due to the elevated cost of living in general, including food, so we took action at the spring statement to support struggling families. Taken together with previous action, support to households to help with bills is worth an average of £3,300 a year across this year and next.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3 Partial Answer
Louie French Con
Old Bexley and Sidcup
Context
The questioner inquires about the Treasury's assessment of the long-term effects of monetary policies post-GFC.
What assessment has been made by the Treasury of the impact of more than a decade of abnormal monetary policy following the global financial crisis?
As my hon. Friend knows, monetary policy is the responsibility of the independent Monetary Policy Committee and the Bank of England. We will continue to work closely with them to ensure that monetary and fiscal policy are well co-ordinated. The Chancellor reconfirmed the inflation target of 2% at the autumn statement and confirmed that this Government will not change the target.
Assessment & feedback
specific assessments or studies by the Treasury
Monetary Policy Responsibility Lies Elsewhere
Response accuracy
Q4 Direct Answer
Context
Older people are facing financial pressures due to inflation, prompting the questioner to seek assurance on government support.
What steps is my hon. Friend taking and what conversations has he had with the Department for Work and Pensions to ensure that Fylde's retired residents are well protected?
I and my hon. Friend work closely with colleagues in the DWP, as my hon. Friend knows, on behalf of pensioners in Fylde. More than 8 million pensioner households will receive a cost of living payment of £300 this winter, but more than 12 million pensioners have benefited from a 10.1% increase to their state pension. That is the biggest percentage rise in the state pension for more than 30 years and its biggest-ever cash increase.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q5 Partial Answer
Alison McGovern Lab
Birkenhead
Context
The questioner challenges the government on economic instability due to their policies, prompting a response about recent actions.
What policies of the past couple of years does the Minister believe have got us into this position with inflation, and how are the Government going to make sure that we have better economic stability?
The hon. Lady omits to mention both the headwinds from the global pandemic and Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Any financially literate conversation on this subject has to acknowledge that we see very similar rates of increase in inflation and rising interest rates across the developed world. In that context, this Government are focusing on stability, ensuring that we continue to pay down debt over the cycle and do not do as the previous Labour Government did and leave a note behind for their successors saying that there is no money left.
Assessment & feedback
current government policies
Global Pandemic Russia'S Aggression
Response accuracy
Q6 Partial Answer
Context
Food price inflation is high, and some individuals are struggling due to lack of support. The questioner seeks help for those facing severe financial difficulties.
What will the Minister do to help those people, who are struggling and heading for the food banks because they cannot afford to make ends meet?
In the interest of time, I will not repeat for the hon. Lady the support for households, which averages £3,500 across the United Kingdom. If she has constituents with particular needs, the Government have recently extended the £1 billion household support fund and I suggests she works with her local authority to try to meet their needs through that.
Assessment & feedback
Constituents Should Work With Local Authorities
Response accuracy