Inflation: Households and Businesses

Question

What recent steps has the Government taken to tackle the impact of inflation on households and businesses in Wales? I am concerned about the cost-of-living crisis that is putting pressure on families and businesses in my constituency. In particular, energy bills are rising significantly, impacting all sectors of society. The Chancellor's recent announcements are crucial for alleviating this burden.

Question

On Monday, this Conservative Government imposed a real-terms cut to social security benefits and pensions of approximately 4%. This is on top of the hike in national insurance contributions, the rise in the energy price cap and cuts to universal credit and working tax credit. The Bevan Foundation in Wales has estimated that these measures will take approximately £286 million out of the Welsh economy. People are genuinely fearful about their living standards being further eroded. How can you justify voting for such measures?

Question

Families across Wales will struggle to cope as Tesco's boss predicts that food inflation will hit 5%. How does the Secretary of State plan to assist people in food poverty?

Question

Welsh businesses and workers face inflation, but the UK Government is imposing a national insurance rise while writing off billions. What talks has the Secretary of State had with Cabinet colleagues about recovering £5 billion from criminals who took fraudulent money during the pandemic?

Question

An 80-year-old constituent has contacted me saying that his £68 monthly bill will go up to nearly £3,000 for the year. BP announced record profits recently. The Government's answer is loans but Labour plans to make energy companies pay. What does he expect me to say to my worried and angry constituent?

Question

As my right hon. Friend mentioned, the Chancellor announced that 80% of English households will receive a £150 council tax rebate from April. The Welsh Government received an additional £175 million under the Barnett formula. Is it regrettable that this money has not been passed on to Welsh councils?

Question

People in rural areas will be at a disadvantage during the upcoming energy price crisis. About two thirds of my constituents are not connected to the gas grid and are therefore not covered by the protection of the energy price cap. Does my right hon. Friend agree that the Welsh Government have a responsibility to act fast with the £175 million they received?

Question

Will my right hon. Friend join me in welcoming the increase in and extension of the warm home discount, which will shield the most vulnerable across the UK from the impact of inflation?

Question

It is not just record inflation that is hitting Welsh households hard. Rents in Wales have increased by nearly 10% in the last year, the third highest rate in the United Kingdom outside London and Northern Ireland. When it comes to paying bills, the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary thinks that a monthly saving on the BBC licence fee of 87p over two years is 'one of the few direct levers we have in our control as a Government.' Is that really the extent of the Government's ambition to help people in Wales cope with a Conservative cost of living crisis?

Question

Well, people across Wales are facing the biggest drop in living standards in 30 years under the Secretary of State's watch. Inflation is at a 10-year high and rising, national insurance levels are increasing by more than 10%—another Tory broken manifesto promise—energy bills are up 54% and rents in Wales are up 10%. Wales is bearing the brunt of the incompetence and chaos not just at No. 10 but at No. 11, while the Secretary of State sits at the Cabinet table and lets it all happen, does he not?

Question

Can my right hon. Friend confirm that the lowest paid in Wales will benefit from our increase in the national living wage, protecting them from the impact of rising inflation?