Cost of Living People on Low Incomes 2022-12-05

2022-12-05

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Questions & Answers

Q1 Direct Answer
Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of high inflation and cost-of-living increases on people with limited incomes.
What steps his Department is taking to support people on low incomes with the cost of living. The MP noted that many constituents are struggling due to high costs and inflation, which she attributes to Putin's war in Ukraine.
In 2022-23, the Government provided £37 billion in cost of living support. We also uprated benefits, pensions and the benefit cap.
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Q2 Direct Answer
Context
The MP is praising the work of Wallington Jobcentre Plus in organising advice events and asks for support to host a job fair.
Will he join me in welcoming the work of Wallington Jobcentre Plus and commit to supporting my upcoming cost of living advice fair?
I thank my hon. Friend very much for his question and put on record my support and thanks to Wallington Jobcentre for its extraordinary work, which I know is encouraged by him. I will certainly look at what the Department can do to support his job fair.
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Q3 Direct Answer
Context
The MP acknowledges the government's steps to help those on benefits but asks about support for those not on benefits who are still struggling.
Does he agree that high inflation necessitates additional support for households on low and middle incomes, including constituents in Hyndburn and Haslingden?
My hon. Friend makes an important point. She is perhaps referring to those who are not necessarily on benefits but are still struggling. I would point to the £400 payment, which has gone out through fuel bills; the increase in the personal allowance over the years, taking many of the lowest paid out of tax; the recent increase in the national living wage to historically high levels; and the energy price guarantee.
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Q4 Partial Answer
Marsha de Cordova Lab
Battersea
Context
The MP is concerned about the lack of uprating in local housing allowance and seeks clarity on additional resources given to local authorities.
How much resource is being provided to local authorities via discretionary housing payment, and can he explain why the local housing allowance remains frozen despite high inflation?
On the discretionary housing payments, I believe the figure is about £1.5 billion over the last few years, but I will get a more precise answer.
Assessment & feedback
The rationale for not uprating local housing allowance
Will Look To Get A More Precise Answer
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Q5 Partial Answer
Paulette Hamilton Lab
Birmingham Erdington
Context
The MP raised concerns about many disabled people struggling with energy bills and highlighted a constituent's case where support was denied.
Given that nine in 10 disabled people are worried about their energy bills this winter, what is being done to ensure crucial support for them through the cost of living crisis?
I am very sorry to hear the details of the hon. Lady's constituent; if she writes to me, I will be happy to look into the matters that she raised. More generally, it is only fair to say that the Government have done an extraordinary amount to support those who are disabled.
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for supporting disabled individuals through the cost of living crisis
Will Be Happy To Look Into
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Q6 Partial Answer
Stephanie Peacock Lab
Barnsley South
Context
The MP noted concerns about many people on prepayment meters missing out on energy vouchers due to delays.
What are the Government doing to ensure that those on prepayment meters do not miss out on their energy vouchers?
None the less, that is a concern right across Government. We have been liaising with BEIS, and I am satisfied that the Secretary of State there is totally aware of the situation and has been in close contact with the companies to see that things improve.
Assessment & feedback
Specific measures for addressing delays in energy vouchers for prepayment meters
We Have Been Liaising With Beis
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Q7 Partial Answer
Alison McGovern Lab
Birkenhead
Context
The MP highlighted issues such as high inflation, unemployment and emergency food parcels distributed last year to criticise the government's handling.
Could the public's view that Chester gave the Tories their worst result since 1832 be attributed to poor economic management under Conservative leadership?
I am rather surprised that the hon. Lady raises unemployment, in particular. Under Labour, we saw unemployment rise by nearly half a million; female unemployment go up by a quarter; youth unemployment rise by 44%; the number of households with no one working in them double; and 1.4 million people spending most of their last decade on out-of-work benefits.
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I Am Rather Surprised
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Q8 Partial Answer
Context
A recent report by Aberlour children's charity found that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) deducts an average of £80 a month from Scottish families on universal credit to cover debts such as advance payments caused by the five-week wait. The report also stated that 56% of constituents claiming universal credit have been left with insufficient funds, forcing them to go without food or eat only one meal a day.
A recent report for the Aberlour children's charity found that the DWP deducts an average of £80 a month from Scottish families on universal credit to cover debts such as advance payments caused by the five-week wait. Does the Secretary of State think that it is acceptable that 56% of our constituents claiming universal credit have been left with such tiny sums of money that they have been forced to go without food or to eat just one meal a day? Will he consider replacing the advance payment loans with a non-repayable grant?
On deductions from universal credit, the hon. Lady will know that, during the pandemic, when things were extremely difficult, we paused that entire process. As a matter of principle, it is important that, when claimants are in debt, arrangements are made such that they can work their way through that and come out of debt. That often means deductions—I say “often” because it does not always mean that, and our debt management team are always very aware of the circumstances of those with whom they are dealing. We also reduced the maximum amount that can be deducted—first, from 40% to 30%, and now to 25%—so I am satisfied that the balance is broadly correct, but wherever there are individual instances where somebody feels that they are not being treated appropriately, they always have recourse to appeal.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not address whether he will consider replacing advance payment loans with non-repayable grants.
We Also Reduced The Maximum Amount That Can Be Deducted—First, From 40% To 30%, And Now To 25% So I Am Satisfied That The Balance Is Broadly Correct
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