Costs of Living Households and Businesses 2022-05-25
2022-05-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The cost of living crisis is affecting households and businesses in Wales.
What recent steps the Government have taken to mitigate the impact of rising costs of living on households and businesses in Wales?
To alleviate the immediate impacts, we have injected support worth over £22 billion in 2023. For businesses, we cut fuel duty and provided help to high energy-using businesses.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify specific measures for Wales beyond general UK-wide actions
Under Review
General
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Scottish Government has introduced the Scottish child payment to tackle child poverty.
Given that Wales has persistently had the highest child poverty rate in the UK, does the Secretary of State not agree that welfare powers should now be devolved to Wales so that the Welsh Government can introduce a targeted child payment?
Even the Welsh Government have not made that argument. I think they recognise proper distribution of welfare is done effectively UK-wide, and the money used in Scotland via Barnett formula.
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Assessment & feedback
Shifted focus to whether devolving powers was a sensible idea rather than addressing child poverty funding in Wales
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Prime Minister made a statement regarding helping people during the current challenges.
Can the Secretary of State tell me what discussions he has had with the Chancellor on an emergency Budget to help the poorest households in Wales and across the UK?
The Chancellor may make further comments. I have conversations with Treasury Ministers regularly, but it is sensible to wait for the Chancellor's statement.
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Assessment & feedback
Avoided providing specific details about discussions or plans for an emergency budget
Too Early
Waiting
Response accuracy
Q4
Direct Answer
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Context
The UK is currently experiencing a cost of living crisis.
Would the Secretary of State agree that having low unemployment rates helps families during the cost of living crisis?
Absolutely. Growing our way out is preferable to spending our way out, and there are measures for those who do not fit solutions.
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Assessment & feedback
null
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Energy prices are expected to rise significantly in October.
What is the Secretary of State's alternative to help people with rising energy costs given the proposed 138-day delay on a windfall tax?
The Treasury will make an announcement imminently. The hon. Lady should apply pressure to her colleagues in Cardiff who have the power to intervene.
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Assessment & feedback
Shifted focus to Welsh Government's lack of action on local taxes and policies
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State's party was wiped out in recent elections.
Does the Secretary of State think buying value brands, getting better-paid jobs or riding around on buses are the Government's answers to high energy costs?
The hon. Lady should allow the Chancellor to spell out his plans and benefits before making politicised comments.
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Assessment & feedback
Shifted focus back to waiting for a Treasury statement rather than addressing current measures
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
A local inn faces significant energy bill increases.
Does the Secretary of State agree that small businesses need more support and will he speak to the Chancellor about extending the price cap?
I will speak to the Chancellor if she speaks to her leader in Cardiff to cancel the tourism tax.
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Assessment & feedback
Shifted focus to cancelling a proposed tourism tax rather than discussing support for small businesses or extending price caps
Changing Subject
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Rumors suggest an economic package is being planned, possibly to distract from government lawbreaking. With household energy bills expected to rise to £2,800 in autumn, the Chancellor has not yet taken action.
If the Secretary of State kept to the powers he has in Westminster, perhaps he would have better support. There are now no Tory councillors in any of the Plaid-held councils along the west coast of Wales. Rumours of an economic package are rife, not because the Government care about struggling households and businesses but because they want to distract from their own lawbreaking. Household energy bills will likely increase to £2,800 in the autumn, yet the Chancellor is sitting on his hands until it proves politically convenient. Is the Secretary of State not ashamed of his Government's behaviour?
I despair sometimes, with the greatest respect. I urge the right hon. Lady to wait, for what should not be a great deal more time, to hear precisely what we have in store on the cost of living challenges. I remind her that, throughout the pandemic and the cost of living challenges, the Treasury has been unbelievably flexible, unbelievably adaptable and, in some respects, unbelievably generous. To try to pre-empt the Chancellor by making cheap political points undermines the value of what those contributions may be, and it does a disservice to the businesses and individuals that the right hon. Lady purports to support.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions or commitments regarding household energy bills and economic package
To Pre-Empt The Chancellor By Making Cheap Political Points Undermines The Value Of What Those Contributions May Be
Response accuracy