Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Disabled People: Benefit Rates

Monday 21 March 2022 · 3 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Secretary of State is legally bound to review benefit rates for disabled people annually.
  • Benefits for disabled people are uprated based on inflation, costing over 59 billion this year.
  • The Chancellor has provided assistance through a three-part plan during the pandemic and rising energy prices, supporting people where possible.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from an assessment of benefit adequacy for disabled individuals, particularly those affected by energy price hikes.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of the benefit rates for disabled people? One of my Bath constituents with a disability faces a £130 increase in April due to higher energy costs. Disabled people are more than twice as likely to have cold homes and over three times less able to afford food, according to Scope. Thousands of disabled individuals are losing faith in the system.

Answer from David Rutley

The Secretary of State is legally bound to review benefit rates annually. Benefits for disabled people are uprated based on inflation, costing over £59 billion this year. Each interaction with claimants is crucial and the household support fund is available.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Commitment to providing audio recordings of assessments and default reports was not explicitly promised

How: We Take Seriously

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Q2 Wera Hobhouse Lib Dem Bath
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Charities and constituents report difficulties in affording basic needs due to rising costs, impacting disabled people disproportionately.

Question

Disability benefits are being cut in real terms. Charities such as Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Scope, Leonard Cheshire and MS Society urge more support for disabled people to avoid using food banks or not washing clothes to keep medical equipment running. What extra support will Ministers push the Chancellor to deliver on Wednesday's spring statement?

Answer from David Rutley

The Chancellor has provided assistance through a three-part plan during the pandemic and rising energy prices, supporting people where possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on extra support for disabled individuals in the upcoming spring statement were not detailed

How: There Is A Track Record

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Q3 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Charities highlight the struggle of disabled individuals to afford essential items due to benefit cuts and rising costs.

Question

Disability benefits are being cut in real terms. Charities like Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Scope, Leonard Cheshire, and MS Society urge more support for disabled people to avoid using food banks or not washing clothes to keep medical equipment running. What extra support will Ministers push the Chancellor to deliver on Wednesday's spring statement?

Answer from David Rutley

The Chancellor has a track record of providing assistance through the pandemic and rising energy prices, supporting people where possible.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specifics on extra support for disabled individuals in the upcoming spring statement were not detailed

How: There Is A Track Record

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