Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Socioeconomic Equality

Wednesday 13 December 2023 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government are committed to boosting economic growth and spreading opportunity across the UK, with education as a key lever to reduce inequality.
  • The Department for Transport is working to enhance social mobility by considering the needs of transport users when determining funding for local transport.
  • The Government have invested in Blyth Valley with an 18 million boost for housing regeneration and other initiatives aimed at supporting local employment opportunities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ian Levy
Education Economy Women & Equalities
Context

The MP is concerned about socioeconomic inequality and the measures taken by the Government to address it.

Question

What steps are being taken by the Government to help ensure socioeconomic equality?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

The Government are committed to boosting economic growth across the UK and ensuring opportunity is spread as widely as possible. Education is the most significant lever to create opportunity and reduce inequality, with Conservative reforms seeing children in schools in England excel in the 2022 PISA scores.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps or policies being taken by the government to address socioeconomic equality, focusing instead on general commitments and past achievements.

How: Under Review

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Q2 Paul Howell
Economy Transport
Context

The MP is concerned about limited public transport connectivity in certain areas which hinders access to education and employment opportunities.

Question

When it comes to economic equality, physical mobility is critical. Does the Minister agree that when funding for local transport is determined, the opportunity to enhance social mobility should be a key consideration?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I agree with my hon. Friend, who raises an important point about how connectivity creates access and generates social mobility. The Department for Transport is working to put the needs of current and potential users at the heart of the operation of the transport system, and Network North, our new £36 billion plan, will improve our country's transport.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not commit to specific changes or actions related to enhancing social mobility through improved transportation infrastructure funding decisions, but acknowledged the importance of connectivity in generating social mobility.

How: Under Review

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Q3 Ian Levy
Housing Employment Transport
Context

The MP is highlighting significant investments made by the Government in his constituency, specifically mentioning various projects and financial contributions.

Question

This Conservative Government have done more for the people of Blyth Valley than any other Government—[Laughter.] And they have brought much needed investment in employment opportunities for my constituents—[Interruption.].

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I am delighted to assure my hon. Friend of that. He is an effective advocate for his constituency, and he knows that this Government have been investing in Blyth Valley. We have given an £18 million boost to regenerate housing, £1.5 million for new high-tech training equipment, £200,000 for extended CCTV provision, and a further £20 million for our long-term plan for towns.

Answered
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Q4 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Economy Children & Families
Context

The MP is raising concerns about high levels of child poverty, fuel poverty, and problematic debt among adults in Newcastle upon Tyne Central.

Question

Some 42% of children in Newcastle upon Tyne Central are growing up in poverty, 17% of households are in fuel poverty, and a fifth of adults are estimated to be in problematic debt. Does the Minister agree that a Government who cannot deliver economic prosperity for working people in the north-east are a Government who cannot deliver on socioeconomic equality?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

This Government are delivering. Of course we recognise that there are people who are in need, and that is why we are doing everything, across all Departments, to deliver for them. For example, our supporting families programme has funded local areas to help almost 600,000 families with multiple and complex needs to make significant positive changes to their lives.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific details on how the government is addressing the economic challenges in Newcastle upon Tyne Central but acknowledged efforts across departments to help those in need.

How: Under Review

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Q5 Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
NHS Social Care
Context

The MP is concerned about the low remuneration rate for care staff who travel long distances to provide services.

Question

One thing that can militate against socioeconomic equality, particularly for the elderly and most vulnerable, is access to care staff. The rate of remuneration is 61p per mile, going down to 25p per mile after the first 3,500 miles, and those figures have not been revised upwards since 2011. It means that wonderful people in my constituency are very often losing money travelling about, and that does not do much for recruitment either. Will the Minister agree to talk to the Treasury and the Scottish Government about doing something about that?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I am sure that colleagues in the appropriate Department will have heard the hon. Gentleman's question and will be able to provide a more detailed response.

Not addressed: The answer did not address the specific ask for discussion with relevant departments regarding remuneration rates but instead referred the matter to other colleagues or departments.

How: Delegated Responsibility

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