Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living: Fiscal Steps

Tuesday 20 December 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

  • Government made over 100 billion of additional support available for families this winter and next winter.
  • Government increased the national living wage by a record 9.7%.
  • Honorable Member noted concern about energy bill support for businesses from April next year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Economy
Context

The question addresses the fiscal steps being taken to help individuals and families cope with rising costs.

Question

What fiscal steps his Department is taking to help tackle increases in the cost of living?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

Because of these unprecedented and difficult times, the Government have chosen to make more than £100 billion of additional support available to families this winter and next winter, on top of increasing the national living wage by a record 9.7% and uprating benefits by inflation.

Answered
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Q2 Jessica Morden Lab Newport East
Care & Healthcare Workers Energy
Context

The question concerns the lack of clarity regarding future government assistance for energy bills for businesses, including nursing homes, supported housing schemes, and older people's schemes.

Question

Businesses do not know what Government help, if any, will be available for energy bill support from April next year. They include nursing homes, supported housing schemes and older people's schemes, which have been able to pass on lower costs to vulnerable residents. Without help, costs will significantly increase for those vulnerable people and affect the long-term viability of care and support services. What are the Government doing to address the issue?

Answer from Jeremy Hunt

I am very grateful that the hon. Lady asked that question. She is absolutely right; a number of businesses, charities and organisations such as care homes are extremely vulnerable because of the big increase in energy prices. All I would say is that she should look at what the Government have done this winter. With around £18 billion of support, we have demonstrated that we are aware of those concerns. Early in the new year, we will bring forward an appropriate package on what will happen from next April.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific details and commitments for energy bill support from April were not provided; only a vague promise to 'bring forward an appropriate package'.

How: Will Bring Forward An Appropriate Package

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