Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Public Expenditure and the Cost of Living

Wednesday 16 November 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Angela Crawley questioned the Government's assessment of the impact of its spending decisions on public expenditure and the cost of living in Scotland.
  • Chris Stephens asked the Minister to assure the House that there would be no further return to austerity to address food poverty and the cost of living.
  • Angela Crawley mentioned hosting a cost of living event in Hamilton and reported constituents struggling with the potential loss of the triple lock on pensions.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Angela Crawley SNP
Economy Scotland
Context

The MP asks about the potential effects of government spending on public expenditure and cost of living in Scotland.

Question

What assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of the Government's spending decisions on (a) public expenditure and (b) the cost of living in Scotland?

Answer from John Lamont

Without pre-empting the details of the Chancellor's statement tomorrow, I can say that the Government's position is that, while tough decisions will be necessary, we remain committed to targeting support at the most vulnerable people in our communities across this land. As well as benefiting from a record block grant settlement to the Scottish Government, the people of Scotland benefit from higher levels of public spending, as is demonstrated through the Union dividend of about £2,000 a year per person.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific effects on public expenditure and cost of living in Scotland were not addressed.

How: Without Pre-Empting The Details, We Remain Committed To Targeting Support

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Q2 Chris Stephens SNP
Economy Energy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP asks about the government's commitment to avoiding further austerity, given the doubling of food bank parcels since 2015.

Question

The number of food bank parcels handed out by the Trussell Trust has doubled since 2015 as a direct consequence of austerity. Can the Minister assure the House that there will be no further return to austerity so that we can tackle the root causes of food poverty and the cost of living?

Answer from John Lamont

I hope that, as the Member of Parliament representing Govan, the hon. Member will join me in welcoming the £4.2 billion defence investment in Glasgow's shipyards for the building of those five Type 26 frigates, which will support hundreds of jobs in his constituency. The UK Government will always act to help the most vulnerable people in our society. The Government are helping to protect households from significant energy bill rises through the energy price guarantee, holding down inflation, and that is on top of the targeted support for the most vulnerable, including £1,200 in direct payments this year.

Not addressed: The question about food poverty and austerity was not addressed directly.

How: I Hope That... Will Join Me, Welcoming The £4.2 Billion Defence Investment

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Q3 Angela Crawley SNP
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP asks about government action to prevent pensioner poverty, specifically calling for a guarantee on the triple lock on pensions.

Question

Last week I hosted a cost of living event in Hamilton, and every day I am inundated by people contacting me about the potential loss of the triple lock on pensions. My constituents were just getting by before the cost of living crisis, but they are now avoiding supermarkets, struggling to pay heating bills and fearing starvation and hypothermia this coming winter. Will the Minister act now to prevent pensioner poverty and call on the Chancellor today to guarantee the triple lock on pensions and to ensure that they rise in line with inflation?

Answer from John Lamont

As I said earlier, the focus of this Government is on supporting the most vulnerable people in our society, and we will always take this responsibility seriously. The Government will act, as they always do, to take the action necessary to support the constituents that the hon. Lady has mentioned.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific commitment or timeline was provided regarding pensioner poverty or guaranteeing the triple lock on pensions.

How: The Focus Of This Government Is, We Will Always Take This Responsibility Seriously

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