Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living: Benefit Levels

Monday 13 November 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government spent 94 billion on cost of living support over 2022-23 and 2023-24 periods.
  • Winter fuel payments will be made at 600 or 500.
  • Nigel Mills questioned the uncertainty in assessing benefit levels over nearly 15 years.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chris Stephens SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Recent warnings from the Trussell Trust indicate food banks are at breaking point, with new figures showing 1.5 million emergency food parcels distributed between April and September this year.

Question

What recent assessment has been made of the adequacy of benefit levels in light of cost-of-living increases? The Trussell Trust warns that food banks are at 'breaking point' due to more people being unable to afford essentials, with 1.5 million emergency food parcels distributed recently.

Answer from Guy Opperman

The Government have spent £94 billion on cost of living support over and above the 10.1% increase in benefit rates since April 2023, covering both 2022-23 and 2023-24 periods. Winter fuel payments will be made at £600 or £500.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to backing the joint campaign for an essentials guarantee within universal credit.

How: Changing Subject

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Q2 Chris Stephens SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The Trussell Trust warns that food banks are at breaking point due to rising cost-of-living pressures, affecting millions who cannot afford essentials.

Question

Despite previous assurances, the Trussell Trust and Joseph Rowntree Foundation warn that food banks face critical shortages. New figures show 1.5 million emergency food parcels distributed between April and September this year. Given these alarming statistics, will the Minister support their campaign for an essential guarantee within universal credit to ensure basic needs are met?

Answer from Guy Opperman

The hon. Member will be aware of £94 billion cost of living support over 2022-23 and 2023-24, alongside the 10.1% benefit rate increase from April 2023.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to backing the joint campaign for an essentials guarantee within universal credit.

How: Changing Subject

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Q3 Nigel Mills Con
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The journey with benefit rates over the last decade and a half has been seen as haphazard, making it unclear to people what benefits should cover.

Question

Given the unpredictable path of benefit rates for nearly 15 years, would the Minister agree that it is uncertain how one assesses these levels? If not convinced by an essentials guarantee, will the Government commission a study to determine if benefits adequately cover basic needs?

Answer from Guy Opperman

My hon. Friend's point is noted, but decisions on uprating rely on ongoing discussions and assessments; this has been the established process for some time.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not commit to conducting a study to assess benefit levels.

How: Changing Subject

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