Cost of Living People with Protected Characteristics 2022-07-13
2022-07-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
Recent rises in the cost of living have affected individuals with protected characteristics disproportionately.
What assessment has been made regarding the impact of recent increases in the cost of living on people with protected characteristics?
The Treasury carefully considers the equalities impacts of policy on those with protected characteristics, in line with both its strong commitment to promoting fairness and its legal obligations under the public sector equality duty. In May, the Government announced over £15 billion of additional support targeted at those with the greatest need.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps taken to address cost of living impacts on protected characteristics were not detailed
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Single parents, predominantly mothers aged 25 and under, are facing challenges due to the reduced rate of universal credit in the cost of living crisis.
What actions has the Government taken to evaluate the impact on single parent households, particularly those receiving a reduced rate of universal credit?
The Government's support package targets the most vulnerable households, including single parents, providing a £650 cost of living payment. I would certainly urge her constituents to contact the local council to see whether the household support fund can also be of assistance.
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Assessment & feedback
Reasons for not ending age-related universal credit limits were not provided
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Resolution Foundation report highlights a decline in women's employment since the pandemic, with 115,000 fewer women employed compared to pre-pandemic levels.
What specific plans does the Minister have to halt the decline in women's employment?
The Resolution Foundation has actually praised this Government's handling of the cost of living pressures. The cost of living support package, totalling £37 billion this year, is in line with our international competitors and more generous than France, Germany and Japan.
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Assessment & feedback
The question about women's employment was not addressed directly
Redirecting To The Cost Of Living Support Package
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The government's economic policies are causing a significant decline in real pay for full-time female workers, with an expected fall of £670 by next April.
How does the Minister explain the reduction in average real pay for full-time women workers?
There are more people in employment and on payrolls than pre-pandemic levels, and women are driving that growth in our economy. The support programme this Government have introduced is helping women back into work, and I hope that will benefit the hon. Lady's constituents as well as mine.
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Assessment & feedback
Explanation of pay reduction not provided
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The Women's Budget Group reports that erosion of the social security system has led to a disproportionate impact on women, particularly those with disabilities or caring responsibilities.
What specific steps have been taken by the Minister to ensure equalities impacts are properly considered in the government's cost of living response?
As part of our cost of living support package, we have introduced a very specific disability cost of living payment, worth £150 per person. I would add that in the spending review, the UK Government gave the Scottish Government £41 billion a year as part of its settlement: the biggest since devolution, and a 26% increase compared with the average across the UK.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps to address inequalities were not detailed beyond disability payment
Response accuracy