Poverty Levels April 2023 2022-07-11
2022-07-11
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Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question relates to the government's approach towards projecting and addressing poverty levels, specifically inquiring about estimates for April 2023.
If she will make an estimate of projected poverty levels in April 2023. I am concerned that without such projections, it is difficult to gauge the effectiveness of current anti-poverty measures and plan future actions.
It is not usual to project poverty levels in terms of statistics. However, the latest official statistics show that in 2021, some 8 million people were in poverty in absolute low-income before housing costs, which was a fall on the previous year. The government provides a £15 billion support package targeted at those most in need.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for projected poverty levels in April 2023, but no estimate was provided.
It Is Not Usual To Project Poverty Levels
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question relates to rising child poverty rates across multiple local authority areas in the North East. It highlights specific percentage increases and their significance.
Even using the Government's preferred measure of absolute child poverty, the proportion of children living in absolute poverty rose in every north-east local authority area between 2014-15 and 2019-20, and continued to rise in the first year of the pandemic. Can the Minister tell the House which of the Tory leadership candidates will be content to see children in places such as Stockton go hungry, and which of them will take action to ensure they do not?
I would be grateful if the hon. Gentleman would give me the specific source of his statistics, because I believe that statistically, child poverty has actually fallen, something of which Government Members are proud. Nevertheless, he will be pleased by the fact that people have opportunities and are getting into work.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked about specific Tory leadership candidates' stances on child poverty, but no direct answer was given regarding their views or actions planned.
I Would Be Grateful If The Hon. Gentleman Would Give Me The Specific Source Of His Statistics
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The question relates to a constituent who is penalised financially when working overtime while receiving universal credit for caring for his disabled son.
One in three children in Barnsley are living in poverty. My constituent cares for his disabled eight-year-old son. He recently started a part-time job to supplement his income, but after working just two hours' overtime, he had a whole month of carer's allowance deducted. Can she explain why those who receive carer's allowance are penalised for doing just that?
I expect that the hon. Lady's constituent is receiving the caring element of universal credit, rather than carer's allowance specifically, which is a slightly separate approach. Universal credit is a dynamic benefit reflecting the fact that when a person is working more, they receive less support from other taxpayers.
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Assessment & feedback
The questioner asked for an explanation of why people are penalised for working overtime under universal credit, but no specific reason was given.
I Expect That The Hon. Lady'S Constituent Is Receiving The Caring Element Of Universal Credit
Response accuracy