Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Universal Credit Recipients: Food Banks

Monday 24 April 2023 · 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 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government does not assess reasons why families use food banks but acknowledges cost of living pressures.
  • Additional support includes the Household Support Fund providing 50 million, increased benefits by 10.1%, and 301 cost of living payments.
  • Minister mentioned adding internationally used food security questions to Family Resources Survey.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Food banks across the UK are experiencing increased demand, with over 40% of users being in work and one in six children reliant on them due to universal credit delays. Local housing allowance is frozen.

Question

Families receiving universal credit face significant challenges leading to food bank usage, exacerbated by a five-week wait for benefits and rising costs. The questioner cites an incident where a local food bank nearly closed due to lack of supplies. What additional support will the Government provide?

Answer from Mims Davies

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) does not assess reasons why families use food banks but acknowledges cost of living pressures. Additional support includes the Household Support Fund providing £50 million, increased benefits by 10.1%, and £301 cost of living payments starting soon. The Help for Households website offers information on assistance with energy costs, childcare, travel expenses, and income support.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the specific ask about further measures to assist families struggling with food insecurity

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Q2 Gerald Jones Lab Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The questioner challenges the lack of assessment by the DWP on why families use food banks, citing multiple factors including a £20 weekly cut in universal credit, deductions from payments, lower real earnings, tax increases, and economic instability.

Question

The Government has not assessed reasons for which people are using food banks. Could the Minister inquire into whether usage is due to reductions in universal credit, regular deductions from payments, lower real earnings since 2007, increased taxes on workers, economic downturns affecting mortgages and rents?

Answer from Mims Davies

The Minister reminded of previous Labour policies like the 10p tax rate. She noted that food banks are charitable organisations supporting local communities and reiterated that new statistics on food security will help understand needs better, despite interruptions.

Not addressed: Did not address specific ask about investigating factors for food bank usage

How: Chuntering From The Front Bench

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Q3 Jon Ashworth Lab
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

The questioner challenges the Minister on food bank usage reasons, questioning Government cuts to universal credit, real earnings decline since 2007, increased taxes on workers, and broader economic issues.

Question

Could the Minister ask her officials whether people use food banks due to £20 weekly cuts in universal credit, deductions from payments, lower real earnings than in 2007, higher taxes on working people, economic crashes raising mortgages and rents? Is it because of 13 years of economic failure?

Answer from Mims Davies

The Minister reminded Jon Ashworth about doubled tax-free allowances, commended charitable organisations supporting communities, and mentioned adding internationally used food security questions to Family Resources Survey. However, she did not directly respond to the specific ask.

Not addressed: Did not address specific ask about investigating factors affecting food bank usage

How: Chuntering From The Front Bench

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