Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living

Wednesday 6 September 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 0 Partly answered 5 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chris Stephens asked about the impact of cost of living pressures on people in Northern Ireland, to which the UK Government responded with an estimated 2 billion of financial support.
  • Patrick Grady questioned if Brexit drives up prices and the cost of living for people in Northern Ireland, to which the response was that the UK has left the EU and aims to flourish outside it.
  • Chris Stephens mentioned research showing that one in six people across Northern Ireland faced hunger, prompting the Minister to note the provision of large sums of money to ease cost of living pressures in Northern Ireland.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Stephens SNP
Economy Northern Ireland
Context

The question is prompted by the increased cost of living across Northern Ireland. The MP highlights the financial pressures faced since the onset of the war in Ukraine.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the increased cost of living on people in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Steven Baker

The UK Government are acutely aware of the cost of living pressures experienced in all parts of the UK since the onset of war in Ukraine. We provided an estimated £2 billion of financial support to Northern Ireland, including more than £1 billion in the form of the energy price guarantee and the additional £600 payment to help households with the rising cost of energy. Tackling inflation continues to be a top priority for this Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a detailed assessment, only mentioned awareness and some financial support without specifics on impact.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Patrick Grady SNP
Northern Ireland Brexit
Context

The question is prompted by the belief that Brexit has significantly impacted the cost of living in Northern Ireland.

Question

Every country in the world is having to deal with the impact of the war in Ukraine and the pandemic, but only one country is dealing with the impact of Brexit. Does this not drive up prices and the cost of living for people in Northern Ireland?

Answer from Steven Baker

I am inclined just to say no. The reality is that this conversation will keep going to and fro. We have left the European Union and we are staying out of the European Union. Our task is to make sure that we flourish as a nation outside the EU, and I wish the hon. Gentleman would just get behind it and move on.

Not addressed: Avoided addressing whether Brexit has driven up prices.

How: Changing Subject

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q3 Chris Stephens SNP
Housing Northern Ireland Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question is prompted by research from the Trussell Trust indicating that one in six people across Northern Ireland faced hunger, with nearly half being children under 16. The MP also mentions uniform grants provided in Scotland compared to lower amounts in Wales and Northern Ireland.

Question

In June this year, according to research by the Trussell Trust, one in six people across Northern Ireland faced hunger, with nearly half of those referred to Trussell Trust food banks being children under 16. Given that parents are choosing between spending money on back-to-school supplies or on food, what steps is the Minister taking to ease cost of living pressures?

Answer from Steven Baker

As I said, we provided a large sum of money to ease cost of living pressures in Northern Ireland. The hon. Gentleman mentions food banks, which are very much on my mind, given the scale of the food bank in Wycombe. We continue to put large sums of money into Northern Ireland, but it would be much better to deal with all these issues in the presence of a restored Executive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps, only mentioned funding and reliance on restored Executive.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q4 Oliver Heald Con
Northern Ireland
Context

The question is prompted by the anniversary of a significant event and appreciation for contributions in political roles. The MP acknowledges financial support provided to Northern Ireland but asks if it would be better spent with an active Executive.

Question

May I join in the congratulations to my right hon. Friend on his first anniversary? In welcoming the money that has been provided to Northern Ireland, does the Minister agree that it would be even better and more efficiently spent if the Executive were back up and running?

Answer from Steven Baker

Yes, I absolutely do; my right hon. and learned Friend is right on that. Time and again we are asked to intervene, and every time we are asked to intervene that is a call for direct rule. We do not intend to get into direct rule. It would be far better if local decisions were taken by a locally accountable Executive.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the efficiency of spending without an active Executive.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q5 Paul Holmes Con Hamble Valley
Employment Northern Ireland
Context

The question is prompted by the Government's provision of financial support in response to cost-of-living pressures. The MP seeks assurance that this will continue without an active Executive.

Question

In the absence of an Executive, will my hon. Friend assure me that the Government will continue to intervene where necessary for the people of Northern Ireland?

Answer from Steven Baker

We will continue to work for the people of Northern Ireland, respecting the devolution settlement. For example, in recognition of the cost of living pressures faced by workers across the UK, the Government increased the national minimum wage rate by 9.7%, to £10.42 per hour for workers aged 23 and over, at the spring Budget.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide assurance about continued intervention in Northern Ireland specifically.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email
Q6 Richard Thomson
Economy Northern Ireland
Context

The question is prompted by a decline in footfall at stores across Northern Ireland. The MP seeks to understand the steps being taken to enable full advantage of economic status and market access.

Question

With footfall at stores falling by 5% throughout August, what steps is the Department taking to enable people to take full advantage of Northern Ireland's economic status and market access?

Answer from Steven Baker

Next week we have the Northern Ireland investment summit. We are determined to attract private sector investment into Northern Ireland and to promote inclusion in that growth. Northern Ireland has a fantastically vibrant economy, and I very much hope that the least well-off will have opportunities through our investment in skills to develop themselves and to secure more better paying jobs in Northern Ireland.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific steps regarding economic status and market access for cost-of-living benefits.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

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

Get updates like this by email