Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living

Wednesday 18 May 2022 · 6 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 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gavin Newlands questioned the effectiveness of the UK Government's measures compared to Scottish efforts in reducing energy costs.
  • The UK Government announced a 22 billion support package including fuel tax reductions and council tax rebates.
  • Ministers emphasized global factors driving inflation and stated ongoing monitoring with potential for further intervention.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gavin Newlands SNP
Economy Scotland Energy
Context

The cost of living is rising and the Scottish Government is taking measures to decarbonize heating and increase electric vehicle infrastructure.

Question

While energy costs are skyrocketing under this Government, the Scottish Government are helping to decarbonise the heating of 1 million homes and saving families money while driving the net zero transition. At the same time, households are being hit by record fuel prices. Where they have powers, the Scottish Government are doing what they can by funding record investment in electric vehicle infrastructure and active travel, massively outstripping the UK Government. Why will this Government not match Scotland's ambitions to drive the move to net zero and reduce living costs for families?

Answer from Iain Stewart

Let me point out to the hon. Gentleman that the measures to which he refers are in part possible because of the record funding that this Government are giving the Scottish Government. Let me also point to the measures that the Chancellor has announced to help with insulation, including the reduction in VAT on house-warming measures.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific request for matching Scotland's ambitions was not addressed directly

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Q2 Gavin Newlands SNP
Economy Taxation Housing
Context

The Cabinet has been asked for ideas on how to deal with the cost of living crisis but so far, only suggestions like taking more hours or buying supermarket-branded food have been offered.

Question

So far, we have had “Take on more hours”, “Get a better job”, “MOT your car every two years”, “Buy supermarket branded food”, and even “Learn to cook”. Can the Minister tell us what the Scotland Office team's contribution has been to these ideas, and which of those ludicrous ideas he favours the most?

Answer from Iain Stewart

The Chancellor has already announced £22 billion-worth of support. That includes 5p off a litre of fuel, £150 council tax rebates, and the hardship fund for local authorities. We have made it clear that the windfall tax to which the hon. Gentleman refers is not a simple solution; we must think carefully about its implications.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific ask was avoided in favor of repeating existing support measures without addressing opinions or contributions

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Q3 Ian Murray Lab Edinburgh South
Economy Taxation Energy
Context

The Chancellor has said he “stands ready to act” but refuses to deliver an emergency budget, while inflation is at a 40-year high and many families are struggling.

Question

Inflation is at a 40-year high, with the weekly shop, energy bill, petrol for the car, and taxes all rising. The Chancellor keeps saying that he “stands ready to act”, but refuses to deliver an emergency Budget. His actions so far have raised taxes to their highest level in 70 years and dropped living standards by the largest amount since the 1950s. Can the Minister tell us what he is doing to get the Chancellor to act, if he is not acting now?

Answer from Iain Stewart

The inflationary pressures are global and result from the pandemic, war in Ukraine, and other supply chain problems. The Chancellor has delivered £22 billion-worth of support; he is keeping a close eye on the situation and will intervene where necessary.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific ask was not addressed directly

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Q4 Ian Murray Lab Edinburgh South
Economy Scotland Benefits & Welfare
Context

Ministers have suggested impractical advice for dealing with the cost of living, like buying value products or getting a better job.

Question

The Secretary of State advised people in poverty to buy value products, the safeguarding Minister suggested working “more hours” or getting a “better-paid job”, and the Chancellor said it would be “silly” to help those struggling. Does the Minister have any equally useless advice?

Answer from Iain Stewart

The Chancellor has given £22 billion-worth of support and is keeping a close eye on the situation. If concerned about cost of living, it should be noted that the Scottish tax rate is higher than in the rest of the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific ask was not addressed directly

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Q5 Mhairi Black SNP
Scotland
Context

The Scottish Government has spent over £1 billion mitigating Tory cuts, increasing benefits, and doubling the child payment.

Question

Apart from that being inaccurate, the Scottish Government have already spent over £1 billion mitigating Tory cuts. They are investing £770 million per year in cost of living crisis measures. Does the Minister not agree it is time his Department lifted a finger?

Answer from Iain Stewart

My Department provides record support (£41 billion) to the Scottish Government. They might be able to do more if they had not wasted money on ferries that do not work or on the First Minister's US tour.

Not addressed: Specific ask was changed to criticism of Scotland's actions and wastage

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Q6 Mhairi Black SNP
Economy Scotland
Context

The question seeks details of discussions about tackling rising costs in Scotland.

Question

What recent discussions have been had with the Scottish Government on tackling rises in the cost of living?

Answer from Iain Stewart

We have regular discussions. The Chancellor has announced £22 billion-worth of support measures, including tax cuts for 2.4 million Scottish workers worth over £330 per year. We are committed to supporting Scotland with a record block grant of about £41 billion.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific ask was not addressed directly regarding discussions

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