Cost of Living 2022-06-28
2022-06-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
MP noted rising prices are causing significant financial strain for many households.
What fiscal steps is the government taking to help reduce the impact of inflation on households' cost of living?
The Government understand that many families are struggling with rising prices. We have announced £37 billion-worth of support, with the bulk targeted at vulnerable households who will receive around £1,200 of help this year.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
Social security benefits are not being increased in line with current inflation rates, leading to a real-terms cut for many recipients.
Will the Chancellor commit to an emergency in-year uprating of social security benefits in line with the current rate of inflation?
We have announced £15 billion-worth of additional help, particularly for those on means-tested benefits. Families receiving a one-off payment of £650 will get more help under our plan than with an uprating based on inflation.
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Assessment & feedback
Exact commitment to in-year uprating was not given
Gently Point Out
Response accuracy
Q3
Direct Answer
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Context
Small business owners, especially in the hospitality sector, are facing financial struggles due to increased costs from suppliers.
Is it time that he looked at his options for further cuts to VAT to help small businesses, especially small cafes?
We have provided significant support, including a £1.7-billion business rates holiday—the 50% discount—for cafés and restaurants in England. This money is being Barnett-ed to Scotland to provide similar support there.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
Public sector workers in North Tyneside are struggling financially due to inflation outpacing wage increases.
What practical steps will the government take to address financial struggles of public sector workers due to inflation?
We are providing an enormous amount of support—around £1,200—which is targeted at those who most need help. The tax threshold will rise to £12,500 in July, delivering a £330 tax cut for around 30 million people.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific steps not detailed beyond general support measures
Gently Say
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
Energy costs are expected to rise significantly, causing financial hardship for constituents.
What further assistance can be given to ensure that nobody is cut off due to the expected rise in energy costs?
We have announced £37 billion of targeted support which will come over the next few months. The national insurance threshold is rising to £12,500 in July, delivering a tax cut for around 30 million people.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific assistance not detailed beyond general measures
Gently Say
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
Tax rises are worsening the cost of living, and there is a disparity in pay rise recommendations for workers vs. FTSE 100 bosses.
How can he defend raising taxes on working people while recommending scrapping pay caps for high-earning executives?
70% of workers in this country will have a net tax cut. In just a couple of weeks' time, the first £12,500 that anyone in work earns will be free of any tax or national insurance.
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Assessment & feedback
Justification not fully addressing disparity issue
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
A significant part of inflation is due to global energy costs, leading to financial pressures.
What is the Treasury's approach to working with other countries and companies to bring down international energy prices?
The Prime Minister's energy security strategy sets out a plan to increase the supply of energy. Between now and then, we have support in place to help people manage costs.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific actions not detailed beyond broad strategy
Response accuracy
Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
District nurses in the constituency face a differential between their terms and conditions for NHS workers and normal mileage allowances, resulting in a £1,400 shortfall for those doing 12,000 miles annually.
One thing that affects my constituents, particularly district nurses, is the differential between the terms and conditions for NHS workers and the normal mileage allowance, which means that an NHS district nurse in my patch doing 12,000 miles a year gets about £1,400 less than if they were on a normal mileage allowance. Will the Chancellor make representations to the Health and Social Care Secretary to try to improve that position for my district nurses?
The mileage allowance rates are advisory, and organisers and employers can provide whatever support they think is appropriate and justified under the circumstances. The Chancellor will be happy to talk to the Health Secretary about finding efficiencies to support people.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific representation or commitment to improve the position of district nurses regarding mileage allowance was not given
Response accuracy
Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
The fuel duty cut introduced has been welcomed but has not significantly impacted people's experience at the pumps due to rising wholesale prices.
Further to the question from my right hon. Friend the Member for Tatton, may I urge the Chancellor to think again about a more substantial temporary cut in fuel duty? Although the current one was welcome, it has not really been noticed by many people.
A £5 billion reduction in fuel duty along with its freezing is significant but not being felt at the pumps due to rising wholesale prices. The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is in dialogue with the Competition and Markets Authority to ensure that the fuel duty cut is passed on.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment to a more substantial temporary cut was not provided
Response accuracy