Cost of Living Support 2023-07-05
2023-07-05
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
No specific event is mentioned, but the question addresses the adequacy of cost of living support for households in Wales.
What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of cost of living support for households in Wales?
This Government are supporting households across Wales with the cost of living. Between October 2022 and the end of June 2023, a typical household would have seen half their energy bills paid for by the Government.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not provide recent assessments or specific evaluations on the adequacy of cost of living support in Wales.
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
A study indicates that around 753,000 Welsh people faced hunger in mid-2022, with an 85% increase in emergency food parcel distributions by Trussell Trust foodbanks compared to five years ago.
What specific conversations has the Secretary of State had with Cabinet colleagues and the retail sector on the high costs of food in supermarkets?
Obviously, all Cabinet colleagues are absolutely committed to making sure that we put our resources towards the least well off. That is why pensions, benefits and the minimum wage have all gone up in line with inflation, and it is why there have been extra payments of £900 to people on benefits, £300 to pensioners, and £150 to households with disabilities.
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Assessment & feedback
The response does not address conversations about high food costs in supermarkets; instead, it outlines general measures for supporting the least well-off.
Changing Subject
Broad Statements
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP mentions the £25 weekly Scottish child payment and asks about similar measures for Wales.
When will the Secretary of State devolve powers over social security to Senedd Cymru, so that it can also make decisions like that to protect the people of Wales from the Tories' cost of living crisis?
I can assure the hon. Member that all members of the Cabinet are committed to resolving the cost of living problems that have come about as a result of the covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine. That is why our first priority is to halve inflation, as well as growing the economy, reducing debt, stopping illegal immigration into this country and—we are responsible for this in England—reducing hospital waiting lists.
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Assessment & feedback
The answer does not address devolving social security powers or provide a timeline; it instead discusses various other government priorities.
Changing Subject
Broad Statements
Response accuracy