Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Child Poverty

Monday 24 April 2023 · 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister stated that work is the best route out of poverty for families.
  • Government claims its spring Budget includes measures to support people entering work.
  • Minister defended the two-child limit and benefit cap as policies for fairness to taxpayers.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Hywel Williams PC
Economy Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The MP is questioning steps to reduce child poverty.

Question

What steps he is taking to reduce child poverty. This Government believe that work is the best route out of poverty for families and we are supporting parents to progress, to stay in work and to be better off.

Answer from Mims Davies

This Government believe that work is the best route out of poverty for families and we are supporting parents to progress, to stay in work and to be better off. That was shown in our spring Budget, which will deliver an ambitious package of measures, across Government, to support people to enter into work, increase their working hours and extend their working lives. We have also raised benefits and benefit cap levels by 10.1% and we are providing those further cost of living payments, which commence tomorrow.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific steps to reduce child poverty were not detailed; general statements about work as a route out of poverty were made.

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Q2 Hywel Williams PC
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The MP is questioning whether two-child limit and benefit cap have increased child poverty.

Question

Have the two-child limit and the benefit cap increased child poverty? The reality of the policy that the hon. Gentleman mentions is about fairness for the taxpayers who support the most vulnerable and making sure that we have a welfare and benefit system that works.

Answer from Mims Davies

The reality of the policy that the hon. Gentleman mentions is about fairness for the taxpayers who support the most vulnerable and making sure that we have a welfare and benefit system that works. We will spend around £276 billion through the welfare system in 2023-24, including £124 billion on people of working age. I would again point people towards the cost of living website and the benefits calculator on gov.uk and I would ask him to note that the benefit cap was raised this year as well.

Not addressed: Did not address whether policies increased child poverty; discussed general welfare spending instead.

How: Discussed Fairness For Taxpayers, Directed Towards Cost Of Living Website

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