Commons Sense

Hansard-based summaries and metrics

Universal Credit Food Insecurity 2022-10-31

2022-10-31

View full transcript on Parliament.uk -->
TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Stephen Timms Lab
East Ham
▸ Context
The question arises from concerns about the level of universal credit and its effect on food security, particularly noting an increase in reliance on food banks.
What assessment has been made of the impact of the level of universal credit on food insecurity? The current large-scale food bank dependence is shameful. It was up by 46% in August and September compared to a year previously according to the Trussell Trust, and it is reported in the press today that hospitals are seeing a big rise in malnutrition cases.
Mel Stride
I am not going to pre-empt my decision on the uprating of benefits or indeed the triple lock. We will need to wait until at least 17 November when my right hon Friend the Chancellor will come to the House with his autumn statement and those details will be known at that point.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment on uprating benefits by 10.1%
Pre-Empting Decision Waiting For Autumn Statement
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Stephen Timms Lab
East Ham
▸ Context
The question is a follow-up to concerns about the level of universal credit and its effect on food security, noting an increase in reliance on food banks and malnutrition cases.
Current large-scale food bank dependence is shameful. It was up by 46% in August and September compared to a year previously according to the Trussell Trust, and it is reported in the press today that hospitals are seeing a big rise in malnutrition cases. The family resources survey says that food insecurity among universal credit claimants fell from 43% to 27% after the £20 a week uplift was introduced. Does this not show how crucial it is that the Prime Minister keeps the promise he made as Chancellor to uprate benefits next April by 10.1%?
Mel Stride
I am not going to pre-empt my decision on the uprating of benefits or indeed the triple lock. We will need to wait until at least 17 November when my right hon Friend the Chancellor will come to the House with his autumn statement and those details will be known at that point.
▸ Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment on uprating benefits by 10.1%
Pre-Empting Decision Waiting For Autumn Statement
Response accuracy