Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living: People with Protected Characteristics

Wednesday 13 July 2022 · 5 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 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Treasury assesses the equalities impacts of policy on people with protected characteristics as per legal obligations.
  • The Government announced a 650 cost of living payment targeting vulnerable households including single parents.
  • The Government's cost of living support package totals 37 billion, described as generous compared to France, Germany, and Japan.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Economy Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

Recent rises in the cost of living have affected individuals with protected characteristics disproportionately.

Question

What assessment has been made regarding the impact of recent increases in the cost of living on people with protected characteristics?

Answer from Alan Mak

The Treasury carefully considers the equalities impacts of policy on those with protected characteristics, in line with both its strong commitment to promoting fairness and its legal obligations under the public sector equality duty. In May, the Government announced over £15 billion of additional support targeted at those with the greatest need.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps taken to address cost of living impacts on protected characteristics were not detailed

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Q2 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Single parents, predominantly mothers aged 25 and under, are facing challenges due to the reduced rate of universal credit in the cost of living crisis.

Question

What actions has the Government taken to evaluate the impact on single parent households, particularly those receiving a reduced rate of universal credit?

Answer from Alan Mak

The Government's support package targets the most vulnerable households, including single parents, providing a £650 cost of living payment. I would certainly urge her constituents to contact the local council to see whether the household support fund can also be of assistance.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Reasons for not ending age-related universal credit limits were not provided

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Q3 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

The Resolution Foundation report highlights a decline in women's employment since the pandemic, with 115,000 fewer women employed compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Question

What specific plans does the Minister have to halt the decline in women's employment?

Answer from Alan Mak

The Resolution Foundation has actually praised this Government's handling of the cost of living pressures. The cost of living support package, totalling £37 billion this year, is in line with our international competitors and more generous than France, Germany and Japan.

Not addressed: The question about women's employment was not addressed directly

How: Redirecting To The Cost Of Living Support Package

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Q4 Anneliese Dodds Labour (Co-op) Oxford East
Employment Women & Equalities
Context

The government's economic policies are causing a significant decline in real pay for full-time female workers, with an expected fall of £670 by next April.

Question

How does the Minister explain the reduction in average real pay for full-time women workers?

Answer from Alan Mak

There are more people in employment and on payrolls than pre-pandemic levels, and women are driving that growth in our economy. The support programme this Government have introduced is helping women back into work, and I hope that will benefit the hon. Lady's constituents as well as mine.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Explanation of pay reduction not provided

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Q5 Kirsten Oswald SNP
Scotland Women & Equalities
Context

The Women's Budget Group reports that erosion of the social security system has led to a disproportionate impact on women, particularly those with disabilities or caring responsibilities.

Question

What specific steps have been taken by the Minister to ensure equalities impacts are properly considered in the government's cost of living response?

Answer from Alan Mak

As part of our cost of living support package, we have introduced a very specific disability cost of living payment, worth £150 per person. I would add that in the spending review, the UK Government gave the Scottish Government £41 billion a year as part of its settlement: the biggest since devolution, and a 26% increase compared with the average across the UK.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to address inequalities were not detailed beyond disability payment

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