Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Destitution

Monday 18 December 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 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government rolled out 104 billion in cost of living payments from 2022 to 2025
  • Rates for Local Housing Allowance housing support have been increased by 6.7%
  • Government points to increases in the national living wage and tax cuts to help people on low pay

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question follows concerns about the increasing number of people experiencing destitution in Leeds East despite government initiatives.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of people experiencing destitution. The Government rolled out £104 billion in cost of living payments from 2022 to 2025, but it remains unclear if these measures are sufficient given that 4 million people now live in destitution.

Answer from Mel Stride

The Government are fully committed to protecting the most vulnerable, having rolled out £104 billion in cost of living payments from 2022 to 2025. The rates for Local Housing Allowance housing support have been increased and benefits by 6.7%.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not specify steps being taken to reduce destitution beyond general measures.

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Q2 Richard Burgon Lab Leeds East
Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concerns have been raised about the lack of additional support for disabled people this winter despite previous promises. The separate disability cost of living payment has reportedly been dropped.

Question

It is heartbreaking that 4 million people live in destitution, with disabled individuals more likely to be among them. Despite this, disabled people will not receive any additional help with the cost of living due to the removal of a specific disability cost of living payment. With costs rising for disabled people, will the Secretary of State commit to reinstating the payment and at a level that meets extra living costs faced by disabled individuals?

Answer from Mel Stride

I am not sure which specific disability payment is being referred to, but the cost of living disability payment has been made this year. In addition, there have been increases in the national living wage and tax cuts that help people on low pay. Since 2010, absolute poverty has fallen by 1.7 million and 400,000 fewer children are in poverty.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not commit to reinstating the specific disability cost of living payment.

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