Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living: Support for Disabled People

Monday 6 March 2023 · 6 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Six million people receiving an eligible disability benefit received a 150 disability cost of living payment last year and will receive another 150 this year.
  • The UK Government is committed to supporting people into work and recognizes that work can lead to better health outcomes for disabled people.
  • The Department is looking into future-proofing measures to protect against high energy costs for essential medical machines.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question is prompted by the rising costs impacting disabled people.

Question

What steps has the Department taken to support disabled people with increases in costs?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

Six million people receiving an eligible disability benefit received a £150 disability cost of living payment last year, and they will receive a further £150 payment this year. Those on a qualifying means-tested benefit will also receive up to £900 in cost of living payments.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Luke Evans Con Hinckley and Bosworth
Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses the importance of employment for better health outcomes among disabled individuals.

Question

What more can be done to create a conducive environment for those suffering from disabilities to get back into work?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We are committed to supporting people into work and retaining roles. We recognise that work is a determinant of better health outcomes for many disabled people. Feedback about what more we might do will be taken on board, and I am delighted to have a conversation with my hon. Friend based on his experiences.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions and commitments were not provided beyond acknowledging the importance of work for health outcomes.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Alyn Smith
Scotland Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question highlights a lack of understanding from the UK Government regarding the impact of cost-of-living crisis on people in Scotland, based on polling data.

Question

Do Ministers accept that 70% of respondents in Stirling feel the UK Government does not understand the impact of the cost of living crisis?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

Certainly not, and I am delighted that I actually have a far more constructive working relationship with the Scottish Minister responsible for these issues than the question from the hon. Member suggests.

Not addressed: The specific sentiment about understanding was not addressed; instead, the answer shifted to discussing working relationships.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Paul Maynard Con
NHS Energy
Context

The question highlights energy cost burdens on families with disabled children who depend on medical equipment.

Question

What more can the Department and Government do to ensure that families do not turn off essential medical machines due to high energy costs?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

We of course have a comprehensive package of support in place, including discretionary support through the household support fund and administered by local authorities. However, I am very mindful of the need to future-proof people against those costs, and that is work that I am currently looking at.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures were not committed to beyond acknowledging current support packages.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Marion Fellows SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question highlights the injustice of denying a cost-of-living increase to legacy benefits.

Question

Will the Minister commit to reintroducing and increasing the universal credit uplift for all legacy benefit claimants?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

I thank the hon. Lady for her suggestion of new policy, but I am not in a position to create it on the hoof. There are significant cost of living support measures in place and individuals will be able to access appropriate support.

Not addressed: The specific commitment was avoided by referring to existing measures without addressing the new policy request directly.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Vicky Foxcroft Lab Lewisham North
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses a significant increase in personal independence payment claims being disallowed for non-return of the AR1 review form.

Question

When will the Minister take action to investigate why there has been a 461% increase in the number of PIP claims disallowed?

Answer from Tom Pursglove

There may be many and varied reasons for individuals not returning forms, including circumstances changing materially. I am very happy to take the point away and look at it further.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific timeline or commitment was given; only willingness to 'look at it'.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email