Disabled People’s Benefits Cost of Living 2022-02-07
2022-02-07
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP raised concerns about the adequacy of disability benefits in light of rising living costs and a hidden £70 million cut to disability benefits.
What recent assessment has her Department made of the adequacy of benefits for disabled people in the context of increases in the cost of living? The increasing cost of living is having a huge impact on so many people, and instead of doing the right thing, this Government buried a £70 million stealth cut to disability benefits in the autumn Budget. For the hundreds of thousands of people impacted, I ask the Minister: exactly how does she expect disabled people to manage their rising energy bills while this Government stand by with woefully inadequate proposals?
The hon. Lady will know that the personal independence payment is aimed at providing assistance to disabled people with extra costs. As the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman), has just outlined, alongside the £9 billion energy bills rebate announced on 3 February the Government are providing £12 billion of support over this financial year and next to ease cost of living pressures, with help targeted at working families, low-income households, and the most vulnerable. I am afraid the hon. Lady has simply misread things. What she is referring to in the spending review is our intention to create extra support for the most severely disabled.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked about how disabled people will manage rising energy bills with recent budget cuts, but the response did not address this specifically.
Serial Misreading
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP referenced the NatCen report and raised concerns about disabled individuals struggling to cover additional daily expenses.
I asked the Minister if she would publish the NatCen report into disabled people's experiences of the benefits system. She said no. The Work and Pensions Committee used its powers to publish the report instead. Having reviewed this research, it is crystal clear what the Government were hiding. Disabled people are struggling on a day-to-day basis. Does she agree that the money disabled people receive is not enough to cover their additional living costs? If she does agree, why has her Department not done anything to address it?
I fear we have some serial misreading going on here. As the research shows, health and disability benefits, alongside other income streams, such as passporting and the Motability scheme, help to meet almost all identified areas of additional need.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked if the Minister agrees that disability benefits do not adequately cover daily expenses but was told there is no agreement on this issue without specific details provided.
Serial Misreading
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP asked for the publication of a NatCen report on disabled people's experiences with the benefits system and highlighted the committee's decision to publish it.
I asked the Minister if she would publish the NatCen report into disabled people's experiences of the benefits system. She said no. The Work and Pensions Committee used its powers to publish the report instead. Having reviewed this research, it is crystal clear what the Government were hiding. Disabled people are struggling on a day-to-day basis.
I fear we have some serial misreading going on here. As the research shows, health and disability benefits, alongside other income streams, such as passporting and the Motability scheme, help to meet almost all identified areas of additional need.
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Assessment & feedback
The MP asked about why no action has been taken based on the NatCen report findings but was not directly addressed by the Minister.
Serial Misreading
Response accuracy