Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living

Wednesday 1 May 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Key points

  • Liz Twist questioned the UK Government on discussions with Cabinet colleagues regarding the cost of living in Scotland and the Scottish Government's child poverty targets.
  • The UK Government responded with a 108 billion cost of living support package, noting inflation has dropped to 3.2%.
  • Michael Shanks criticized the current government's performance on various social and economic indicators, questioning its focus and effectiveness.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Economy Scotland Children & Families
Context

The Scottish Parliament's research and the Fraser of Allander Institute indicate significant challenges with child poverty, net zero targets, and widening attainment gaps.

Question

What recent discussions has had with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in Scotland? According to the Scottish Parliament's own research as well as the Fraser of Allander Institute, the Scottish Government's child poverty targets for 2023-24 are not set to be met. Given the dereliction of their net zero targets and the widening attainment gap, does the Minister agree that the Scottish Government have given up on governing and given up on the future of Scottish children?

Answer from John Lamont

This Government have demonstrated their commitment to supporting households across the United Kingdom and in Scotland with the cost of living, with a £108 billion package of support—one of the largest in Europe. Inflation is now at 3.2%, which is less than half its recent peak, and is expected to fall to its 2% target one year earlier than expected. I agree with the hon. Member: the SNP gave up governing in Scotland a long time ago thanks to its continued obsession with independence and referendums.

Not addressed: The specific discussions on cost of living measures and child poverty targets were not addressed directly

How: I Agree With The Hon. Member: The Snp Gave Up Governing In Scotland A Long Time Ago Thanks To Its Continued Obsession With Independence And Referendums.

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Q2 Liz Twist Lab Blaydon and Consett
Scotland Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The Scottish Parliament's research as well as the Fraser of Allander Institute have highlighted that child poverty targets for 2023-24 are not expected to be met.

Question

According to the Scottish Parliament's own research as well as the Fraser of Allander Institute, the Scottish Government's child poverty targets for 2023-24 are not set to be met. Given the dereliction of their net zero targets and the widening attainment gap, does the Minister agree that the Scottish Government have given up on governing and given up on the future of Scottish children?

Answer from John Lamont

The UK Government remain committed to supporting households across Scotland, demonstrated through our 6.7% increase in working age benefits, our maintaining the triple lock for 12 million pensioners and our cut to national insurance.

Not addressed: The question specifically asked about child poverty targets and their failures, but was not addressed directly

How: The Uk Government Remain Committed To Supporting Households Across Scotland

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Q3 Michael Shanks Lab Rutherglen
NHS Education Economy Scotland
Context

Scots are not better off after a year under the current government, with rising child poverty, falling life expectancy, longer NHS waiting lists, more drug deaths, and higher homelessness. Economic growth has stagnated.

Question

After Humza Yousaf's term in office, nobody in Scotland is better off; this coupled with a Prime Minister clinging on to power. Child poverty is up. Life expectancy is falling. NHS waiting lists are up. Drug deaths are up. Homelessness is up. Economic growth has flatlined. Is it not the inescapable truth that Scots have been failed by two Governments for far too long? Does the Minister agree that what Scotland needs now is to be rid of both these distracted, incompetent and hopelessly out-of-touch Governments?

Answer from John Lamont

I certainly agree that the SNP Government have not been focused on the day job. They have been neglecting Scotland's schools, NHS and transport network. They have not been getting on with the day job, but the harsh reality is that whoever is elected to replace Humza Yousaf as First Minister will still have the same obsession with independence and referendums.

Not addressed: The specific failures in various areas were not addressed directly

How: They Have Been Neglecting Scotland'S Schools, Nhs And Transport Network

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