Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Living Standards

Tuesday 27 January 2026 · 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 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Living standards are rising following a previous fall during the last Parliament.
  • The Budget took levies off energy bills, saving families an average of 150 next year.
  • Six interest rate cuts since the general election have made a significant difference.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Luke Murphy Lab Basingstoke
Economy Energy
Context

The previous Parliament saw a significant decline in living standards, making it a critical issue for constituents.

Question

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of trends in the level of living standards on the economy. The Minister says that living standards are rising following the unprecedented fall during the last Parliament; my constituents welcome action taken to freeze rail fares and take £150 off energy bills, as well as today’s commitment to cap ground rent. Will he confirm that the Government will continue to strain every sinew, clear every obstacle and use the power of government to cut the cost of living and raise living standards for my constituents over the course of this Parliament?

Answer from Torsten Bell (Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)

My hon. Friend highlights the key role of energy bills in rising living standards; the Budget took levies off energy bills to save families £150 on average next year, further supporting living standards by making it easier for banks to cut mortgage rates and giving businesses confidence to invest. Energy bills cuts, ground rents cuts—change promised, change delivered.

Answered
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Q2 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Economy Northern Ireland
Context

The cost of living crisis affects all parts of the UK, including Northern Ireland.

Question

What assessment has the Minister made of recent trends in household living standards across the United Kingdom, including through discussions with the relevant Minister in Northern Ireland? What steps has his Department taken to ensure that the Northern Ireland Executive can support households facing rising costs?

Answer from Torsten Bell (Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)

Government Ministers, particularly at the Northern Ireland Office, spend a lot of time speaking to Ministers in Northern Ireland; the cost of living crisis affects not just one part but all parts of the United Kingdom. Six interest rate cuts since the general election have made a big difference to those in Northern Ireland whose mortgage renewal is coming up.

Answered
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Q3 Richard Fuller Con North Bedfordshire
Economy
Context

The Office for Budget Responsibility assessed that Labour's plans would result in low growth in real household disposable income.

Question

Persistently high inflation and fears that things will get tougher for their children are top issues for the British public, but the OBR’s assessment of Labour’s plans was that: 'Growth in real household disposable income per person is projected to fall… to around ¼ per cent a year… well below the last decade’s average'. Why is the sum of all this Government’s economic policies condemning the British public to such a despairing prospect?

Answer from Torsten Bell (Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury)

Members on the Conservative Benches were in power during the last Parliament, which saw living standards fall by 2.9%. Living standards have already risen under this Government by 1.5%, because we are turning around their mess day after day.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question was about Labour's economic plans and the OBR assessment, but the Minister discussed previous Conservative policies instead of addressing the specific issue raised.

How: Change Subject

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