Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living

Monday 21 March 2022 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Stuart McDonald inquired about the cost of living and the government's response, including discussions with the Chancellor on council tax rebates and energy bill phasing.
  • Stuart McDonald questioned whether the Secretary would urge the Chancellor to reverse the universal credit cut or introduce a child payment, to which the response included ongoing Government efforts and the reduction of the taper rate.
  • Kieran Mullan asked about plans to penalize non-payers of child maintenance through a home curfew, to which the Secretary agreed more should be done and intends to bring a curfew order into effect after consultation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stuart McDonald SNP
Economy
Context

The question follows concerns about the rising cost of living and its impact on constituents, especially those relying on universal credit.

Question

I am concerned about the rise in the cost of living. Whether she has had discussions with the Chancellor ahead of the spring statement to address this issue.

Answer from Therese Coffey

Yes, I have. There has been a cross-Government effort to tackle the cost of living; that has been ongoing for some time, and was most recently revealed by the Chancellor's announcement on council tax rebates and the phasing of energy bills.

Answered
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Q2 Stuart McDonald SNP
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question stems from the ongoing debate on tackling the cost of living, specifically referencing Jack Monroe's assertion that this issue could be fatal and questioning previous government measures such as universal credit cuts.

Question

Jack Monroe was right to say this cost of living crisis could be fatal for some. Has the Secretary urged the Chancellor to reverse the £20 universal credit cut or replicate Scotland's £20 per week child payment? Where is her comprehensive plan to stop constituents suffering?

Answer from Therese Coffey

There is ongoing cross-Government effort. The Chancellor's announcement on council tax rebates and phasing of energy bills are part of the response. Taper rate was reduced to 55% in autumn Budget, making people better off working.

Partly answered

Not addressed: reversing the £20 universal credit cut and replicating Scotland's child payment

How: Council Tax Rebate Is Not A Loan

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Q3 Kieran Mullan Con Bexhill and Battle
Children & Families
Context

Research by York University indicates that securing child maintenance payments could lift many children in single-parent households out of poverty. The question calls for more action on this issue.

Question

Research shows receiving child maintenance would help 60% of children living in single-parent households currently not receiving it. What plans does the Department have to move forward with home curfew to penalise non-payers?

Answer from Therese Coffey

I agree that more should be done. Specific power was created in primary legislation and it is my intention later this year to bring the curfew order into effect after appropriate consultation across Government.

Answered
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Q4 David Linden SNP
Economy Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question criticises the Government's approach to job creation, particularly recent back-office job cuts in the Department. It also questions whether the Chancellor will follow Scotland's 6% benefit uprating.

Question

Given that a plan for jobs meant butchering back-office jobs and considering the Chancellor's wealth, has she suggested he should follow Scotland's approach of uprating benefits by 6%? Is this something she is planning to ask him on Wednesday?

Answer from Therese Coffey

The House voted through the uprating order based on inflation index. We strive to get more people working, seen on payrolls; self-employment surveys may differ but we aim to lift as many out of poverty.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific advice to adopt Scotland's benefit uprating strategy and plans for Wednesday discussions

How: Striving To Get More People Working

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