Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Credit: Food Insecurity

Monday 31 October 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 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial Questions on Universal Credit and food insecurity were held on 2022-10-31
  • Stephen Timms from East Ham inquired about the impact of Universal Credit levels on food insecurity
  • The Minister declined to pre-empt decisions on benefit uprating and the triple lock, citing the upcoming autumn statement on 2022-11-17

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Timms Lab East Ham
Benefits & Welfare Environment
Context

The question arises from concerns about the level of universal credit and its effect on food security, particularly noting an increase in reliance on food banks.

Question

What assessment has been made of the impact of the level of universal credit on food insecurity? The current large-scale food bank dependence is shameful. It was up by 46% in August and September compared to a year previously according to the Trussell Trust, and it is reported in the press today that hospitals are seeing a big rise in malnutrition cases.

Answer from Mel Stride

I am not going to pre-empt my decision on the uprating of benefits or indeed the triple lock. We will need to wait until at least 17 November when my right hon Friend the Chancellor will come to the House with his autumn statement and those details will be known at that point.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on uprating benefits by 10.1%

How: Pre-Empting Decision, Waiting For Autumn Statement

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Q2 Stephen Timms Lab East Ham
Benefits & Welfare Environment
Context

The question is a follow-up to concerns about the level of universal credit and its effect on food security, noting an increase in reliance on food banks and malnutrition cases.

Question

Current large-scale food bank dependence is shameful. It was up by 46% in August and September compared to a year previously according to the Trussell Trust, and it is reported in the press today that hospitals are seeing a big rise in malnutrition cases. The family resources survey says that food insecurity among universal credit claimants fell from 43% to 27% after the £20 a week uplift was introduced. Does this not show how crucial it is that the Prime Minister keeps the promise he made as Chancellor to uprate benefits next April by 10.1%?

Answer from Mel Stride

I am not going to pre-empt my decision on the uprating of benefits or indeed the triple lock. We will need to wait until at least 17 November when my right hon Friend the Chancellor will come to the House with his autumn statement and those details will be known at that point.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific commitment on uprating benefits by 10.1%

How: Pre-Empting Decision, Waiting For Autumn Statement

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