Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Government Financial Support: Low to Moderate Incomes

Tuesday 26 January 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The impact of tax and welfare policy during the COVID-19 outbreak is best analysed at the whole-household level.
  • The Government's distributional analysis shows that its covid-19 financial support protected the poorest households' incomes the most relative to their income size.
  • The Minister for Equalities is willing to review schemes from other countries to address difficulties faced by families during the pandemic.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Maria Miller Con
Economy Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from concerns about the differential impacts of government support measures during the pandemic on different genders and income levels.

Question

What comparative assessment has been made by his Department regarding the effect of Government financial support during the COVID-19 outbreak on (a) women and (b) men on low to moderate incomes?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The impact of tax and welfare policy is best analysed at the whole-household level. The Government's distributional analysis published last year shows that its covid-19 financial support protected the poorest households' incomes the most as a proportion of their income.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The comparative assessment between women and men on low to moderate incomes was not provided.

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Q2 Maria Miller Con
Women & Equalities
Context

The question arises from concerns about the challenges faced by pregnant women in the workforce during the pandemic, with one in four experiencing discrimination or being unlawfully singled out for redundancy.

Question

Pregnant women have had a difficult time at work during the pandemic. One in four has faced discrimination, including being unlawfully singled out for redundancy, which is not limited to this period. Will my hon. Friend review how other countries address this issue and consider adopting Germany's approach of protecting pregnant women from redundancy?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

We are aware of the difficulties families face during the pandemic and have implemented various measures. If my right hon. Friend has specific schemes from around the world she would like me to examine in my capacity as Minister for Equalities, I am willing to do so.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not commit to reviewing or adopting Germany's approach specifically, only mentioning willingness to look at international practices if examples are provided.

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