Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Poverty Reduction

Tuesday 1 July 2025 · 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

  • Nobody currently receiving personal independence payments will see any reduction in support.
  • 29 billion more was invested annually for day-to-day NHS spending.
  • The Government will publish a 10-year health plan focusing on young people in deprived communities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rachael Maskell Labour (Co-op) York Central
Economy Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

In her constituency, three in ten disabled people are living in poverty. The Women’s Budget Group report highlighted that 75% of those losing their personal independence payment and carer's allowance are women.

Question

What fiscal steps does the Chancellor plan to take to help reduce the number of disabled and sick people in poverty, particularly considering the intersectionality between women, disabled individuals, and other protected characteristics?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

Nobody currently receiving personal independence payments will see any reduction in support. The Government have increased the national living wage by 6.7%, introduced the fair repayment rate to lower the cap on deductions for universal credit, and are rolling out more childcare including new nurseries at primary schools. A review of parental leave is being launched which could benefit all working parents, particularly mothers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address specific intersectionality between women, disabled individuals, and other protected characteristics in fiscal decisions.

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Q2 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
NHS
Context

Cancer is a major driver of poverty, with people unable to work during treatment or due to collateral damage post-treatment. The international average for cancer patients receiving radiotherapy is 53%, while in the UK it stands at only 36%.

Question

Does the Chancellor acknowledge that cancer drives poverty and will she look at investing more in radiotherapy given the disparity with international averages?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

In the spending review, £29 billion more was invested annually for day-to-day NHS spending and a record uplift in capital spending was made. This has delivered 4 million additional appointments and reduced waiting lists by 250,000.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not directly address the request to invest more specifically in radiotherapy.

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Q3 David Baines Lab St Helens North
NHS Local Government
Context

St Helens ranks as the 26th most deprived area nationally, with a focus on early intervention to prevent crisis intervention costs.

Question

Will the Chancellor assure that this Government will properly fund councils and health services so more people can live longer healthier lives?

Answer from The Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rachel Reeves)

The Prime Minister is committed to early intervention, and later this week, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care will publish a 10-year health plan focusing on young people in deprived communities. The Government are determined to achieve better public health outcomes.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific assurances regarding funding levels for councils and health services.

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