Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living

Wednesday 19 April 2023 · 9 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 7 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister had regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in Wales.
  • Government provides over 94 billion of support across the UK to help households.
  • Minister stated the Government's aim to halve inflation over the next year.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mick Whitley
Economy Housing Energy
Context

Inquires about discussions with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in Wales, following recent reports.

Question

What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in Wales. Household incomes are falling at a record rate and energy costs remain high.

Answer from David Davies

I have regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues on a range of topics. The Government provide total support of more than £94 billion across the UK to help households, at an average of over £3,300 per household.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific ask about recent discussions in Wales on cost of living

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Q2 Mick Whitley
Economy
Context

Concerned about food inflation reaching 19% while household incomes are falling, questioning excessive profits by retailers.

Question

Household incomes are falling at the fastest rate since records began. Food inflation is now at 19%. Does he agree this is a cost of greed crisis? When will the Government tackle profiteering?

Answer from David Davies

The Government are serious about dealing with inflation, aiming to halve it over the next year. Pensions and benefits have risen in line with inflation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address profiteering by retailers or specific ask regarding excessive profits

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Q3 Stephen Crabb Con
Asylum & Refugees Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concerned about proposed universal basic income, questioning if it is fair to taxpayers.

Question

Government continues spending on supporting family incomes. Is giving free cash including to young asylum seekers responsible welfare?

Answer from David Davies

My right hon. Friend is correct. The Welsh Labour party proposes a poorly targeted UBI, exempting asylum seekers from legal bills. This Government support vulnerable people by raising pensions and benefits with inflation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address discussions about universal basic income specifically

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Q4 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Education Scotland Wales
Context

Welsh Labour Government increased education maintenance allowance to £40 a week, questioned about UK Government's discussions with Cabinet.

Question

Last week, Welsh Labour increased EMA to £40. I am proud of our support for students. Can he share what discussions he is having with Cabinet to follow Wales' lead?

Answer from David Davies

There are no circumstances under which the UK Conservative Government would want to follow Welsh Labour's policies like raising taxes, a tourism tax, and scrapping meal deals.

Not addressed: Did not address any discussions with Cabinet or support for EMA increase

How: Disincentivizing Illegal Entry, Rejecting Universal Basic Income

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Q5 Tom Hunt
Wales Benefits & Welfare
Context

Questions the Secretary of State about prioritizing support for asylum seekers over Welsh citizens, referencing Labour's policies.

Question

Welsh Labour Government is prioritising support for those who have illegally entered UK over maximising cost of living support for Welsh citizens. Does he agree?

Answer from David Davies

My hon. Friend is correct, we are not prepared to see universal basic incomes and legal funding provided to people who should not be in this country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address cost of living support for Welsh citizens specifically

How: Disincentivizing Illegal Entry

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Q6 Jo Stevens Lab Cardiff East
Economy Taxation Wales
Context

Questions the Secretary of State about recent tax measures, high food prices, and support for Welsh households.

Question

Inflation is over 10%, Chancellor froze personal allowances. Food prices have increased by almost 25%. How does he expect Welsh households to afford essentials?

Answer from David Davies

The Government support vulnerable people, while Wales squanders money on extra Senedd Members and a relief road. The UK has spent £400 billion during covid.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address how Welsh households will afford essentials specifically

How: Waste Of Taxpayer'S Money

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Q7 Jo Stevens Lab Cardiff East
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

Questions the Secretary of State about pension policies and falling inflation, criticizes protection for super-wealthy.

Question

Inflation is still over 10%. Falling inflation does not mean prices are falling. If Cabinet Ministers cannot get a grip on basics, how can they help households?

Answer from David Davies

First, the pension increase was for doctors as Labour had called for. Food prices are rising due to policies like scrapping meal deals.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address actions to support households specifically

How: Scrapping Meal Deals

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Q8 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Energy Business & Trade
Context

Malcolm Atherton and Beth Cluer run a café in Trawsfynydd facing closure due to high energy bills. Small and medium-sized businesses employ 62.6% of Welsh workers but received no additional support from the Chancellor in the spring Budget.

Question

My constituents Malcolm Atherton and Beth Cluer have had to hibernate their business due to cripplingly high energy bills. Despite employing 62.6% of Welsh workers, small businesses got no additional support with energy bills in the spring Budget. Will the Secretary of State urge his colleagues to increase energy support for these businesses?

Answer from David Davies

The Government have provided an unprecedented package of subsidies worth £18 billion, including a freeze on fuel duty. Supporting businesses through this difficult time remains a priority for the Conservative Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to urging Treasury colleagues to increase energy support specifically for small businesses

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Q9 Liz Saville-Roberts PC Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Wales Environment
Context

Thames Water wastes 630 million litres of water daily through leaky pipes and plans to move water from Wales. This practice diverts Welsh resources elsewhere without recompense or consultation with local people.

Question

Thames Water wastes 630 million litres of water every day, planning to move vast volumes from Wales despite the waste issue. Local resources are diverted without recompense or consultation. As Secretary of State for Wales, will he activate section 48 of the Wales Act 2017 so that decisions about Welsh resources are made by the people of Wales?

Answer from David Davies

I am not responsible for Thames Water, but regular meetings with Welsh Water have not raised this issue. Welsh Water needs to reduce leakage and sewage in rivers; accountability is the responsibility of the Welsh Labour Government.

Not addressed: Did not address the specific request to activate section 48 for water resource management decisions

How: Not Responsible For Thames Water, Accountability Is For Welsh Labour Government

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