Cost of Living 2022-07-06
2022-07-06
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the effectiveness of cost of living support in Wales and its impact on households.
What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the cost of living support for households in Wales?
My ministerial colleagues and I fully accept that there is a cost of living challenge, but this country has faced some exceptional challenges over the past few years, including a global pandemic and a European land war. We have responded vigorously by providing £37 billion to help households across the UK through these challenges.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide an assessment of effectiveness specific to Wales
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is advocating for the government's long-term economic plan to help households with the cost of living.
Does the Minister agree that the best way to help people in Wales with the cost of living is to deliver our long-term plan to grow the economy, increase productivity and reduce people's taxes?
I agree completely with my right hon. Friend. Households across the whole United Kingdom will be receiving a cost of living support payment worth £650 this month. By contrast the Welsh Labour Government want to spend £100 million to increase the number of Welsh Senedd Members.
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Assessment & feedback
Focused on criticism rather than specific plan details for Wales
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the effectiveness of cost of living support compared to other government expenditures.
Across the UK, 8 million low-income households will get £1,200 in financial support to help with rising electricity and gas bills. Would not the £100 million being spent by the Welsh Government on extra politicians in Cardiff be better directed at helping those families?
I fully agree with my hon. Friend. Not only will households receive an extra £1,200, but next week, 8 million households on means-tested benefits will get an extra £326 in their bank accounts; in September, 6 million people on disability benefits will receive a £150 payment; and in October, £400 will come off households' energy bills. There is much more to follow, because the Government believe in levelling up, not in spending £100 million on extra Senedd Members.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not directly address comparison to politician funding
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is seeking information on how park home residents in Wales can receive the £400 discount.
In spite of parliamentary questions, we still have no answers about how people who have their permanent residence in park homes or similar in Wales, who receive their energy bills via a third party, can receive the £400 discount. Will the Minister speak to his ministerial colleagues to sort that out so that those people can receive the money in a timely fashion?
The hon. Lady has not actually contacted me about the issue previously, but it is a reasonable one to raise and I would be happy to see any correspondence from her on it.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific commitment or timeline
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is critical of the UK Government's funding and support for Wales during the cost of living crisis.
Unsurprisingly, the UK Government have repeatedly broken their promises to fund Wales to the tune of nearly £800 million, and they are blatantly trying to undermine devolution at every opportunity. Can the Minister tell me how that serves the Welsh people when they are struggling with the cost of living crisis? While he is at it, can he tell us why he is still propping up a broken Government who promote an abuser and then lie about it?
That statement is completely incorrect. Prior to Brexit, Wales received around £343 million a year in structural funds and £337 million a year was spent on agriculture. Post Brexit, the sums will be exactly the same. My question is why Opposition Members are still supporting a Government in Wales who have left us with lower education standards; lower standards in healthcare; and more taxes on business, such as a tourism tax and a tax on wine producers.
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Assessment & feedback
Changed subject to criticise the opposition rather than addressing funding issues
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the cost of living crisis hitting Wales hard and the inadequacy of government measures.
The Conservatives' cost of living crisis is hitting Wales hard. The soaring costs of energy, fuel and food have been compounded by crippling increases in tax and national insurance. The meagre 5p cut to fuel duty has proved wholly inadequate and energy costs are due to rise even further this autumn. It is clear that the Government have run out of not only ideas but Ministers. Will the Minister commit to speaking to whoever holds the post of Chancellor this afternoon about taking immediate further action to tackle the cost of living crisis?
We have already acknowledged that there is a cost of living crisis, which was partly caused by having to spend £400 billion on getting us through the covid pandemic and by a European land war. Of course, we are doing everything we can to support people through these difficult times, which is why we are spending £37 billion on support for hard-hit households and why we have introduced a new 25% energy profits levy on oil and gas companies, which will raise about £5 billion of revenue that will also go to relieving the burden on families.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to speaking with Chancellor immediately
Response accuracy