Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Living Cost Increases: Benefit Claimants

Monday 11 July 2022 · 2 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Living cost increases support includes a one-off 650 payment to low-income households.
  • A 150 disability cost of living payment and a 300 winter fuel payment top-up are part of the package.
  • The Department is considering remedial order issues for bereavement benefits for cohabiting partners.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Stephens SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from the rising cost of living that is affecting benefit claimants, leading to higher expenses and financial strain.

Question

What support her Department is providing to benefit claimants to help meet increased living costs. The £15 billion cost of living package includes a one-off £650 cost of living payment to low-income households in receipt of a means-tested benefit, a one-off £150 disability cost of living payment, and a £300 top-up to the winter fuel payment for pensioners.

Answer from David Rutley

Our £15 billion cost of living package includes a one-off £650 cost of living payment to low-income households in receipt of a means-tested benefit, a one-off £150 disability cost of living payment, and a £300 top-up to the winter fuel payment for pensioners. That is on top of a wider package of measures that takes the total Government help for households to £37 billion this year.

Answered
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Q2 Chris Stephens SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

During a recent meeting of the Work and Pensions Committee, the Secretary of State expressed dissatisfaction with progress regarding bereavement benefits for cohabiting partners. The questioner is requesting clarity on when this issue will be addressed.

Question

The Minister will be aware that during a recent Work and Pensions Committee meeting, the Secretary of State told me that she was not satisfied with the progress of bereavement benefits for cohabiting partners, and that she was meeting her officials the next day. When will the second remedial order be laid so that people who would qualify for that benefit can meet their living costs?

Answer from David Rutley

Important issues have been raised and it is vital that we get it right. We are carefully considering the issues and we will lay the order before the House as soon as we are able. In parallel, DWP officials are working at pace on implementation plans for the order.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific timeline or date not provided.

How: Carefully Considering The Issues

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