Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Support for Disabled People

Wednesday 12 January 2022 · 5 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Karl Turner questioned the Government about a 70 million cut to benefits for disabled people and requested a written response from the Minister for Disabled People.
  • The Minister confirmed that 58 billion will be spent this year on benefits to support disabled people and those with health conditions.
  • Kirsten Oswald inquired about discussions between the Minister and Treasury colleagues regarding assistance for disabled people affected by the cost of living crisis.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
NHS Education Benefits & Welfare
Context

The autumn Budget and spending review 2021 is under scrutiny, with a focus on the impact of these measures on disabled individuals.

Question

What assessment has been made of the impact of the autumn Budget and spending review 2021 on support for disabled people?

Answer from Guy Opperman

Under the 2021 spending review there will be delivery of targeted support for disabled people, including £1.1 billion of investment in helping them to get into work, £2.6 billion of funding for new school places for children with special educational needs and disabilities, and much more on health and other matters.

Answered
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Q2 Karl Turner Ind Kingston upon Hull East
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Government announced a £70 million cut to benefits, prompting concerns about transparency and inclusion of disabled individuals in the decision-making process.

Question

In the autumn statement the Government snuck out a £70 million stealth cut to benefits. Can the Minister confirm that disabled people will be involved in the process and say how it will affect them? If he cannot, will the Minister responsible write to me?

Answer from Guy Opperman

Yes, the Minister for Disabled People will write to the hon. Gentleman, but I can confirm that we will spend the record sum of £58 billion this year on benefits to support disabled people and people with health conditions.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Involvement of disabled people in the process

How: Minister For Disabled People Will Write

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Q3 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The cost-of-living crisis is affecting many, and there's concern about the impact on disabled individuals.

Question

Can anyone on the Treasury Bench inform the House what percentage of disabled people currently live in relative poverty?

Answer from Guy Opperman

I will get the Minister for Disabled People to provide the precise stats for the hon. Lady, but I repeat the point that funding for disabled people and people with health conditions is at the record level of £58 billion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Percentage of disabled people living in relative poverty

How: Will Get Stats From Minister

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Q4 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

A £70 million cut to disability benefits was implemented, and concerns arise about the lack of consultation.

Question

27% of disabled people in our country live in relative poverty—up by 1 million more disabled people since 2010. Were the rest of the Women and Equalities team consulted about that stealth cut?

Answer from Guy Opperman

The hon. Lady will understand that only the Minister who is asked the particular question can answer. The practical reality is that the spending review has shown that £58 billion is a record sum.

Not addressed: Consultation on disability benefits cut

How: Only Relevant Minister Can Answer

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Q5 Kirsten Oswald SNP
NHS Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concerns about the cost-of-living crisis impacting disabled individuals, including loss of universal credit uplift and real-term benefit reductions.

Question

Disabled people should not bear the brunt of the cost of living crisis. What discussions has the Minister had with his Treasury colleagues about tackling Tory cuts, tax hikes, soaring inflation, and surging energy bills affecting disabled people across the UK?

Answer from Guy Opperman

There is the household support fund, winter fuel payments, cold weather payments, state pension increases, energy price cap, and freeze in fuel duty all going to assist anybody affected.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific discussions on Tory cuts

How: General Measures Mentioned

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