Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living

Wednesday 17 June 2026 · 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 2 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is increasing wages faster than inflation, creating jobs, and raising pensions and universal credit to help reduce the cost of living in Wales.
  • The Great British summer savings scheme is cutting VAT on children's meals and entertainment tickets, and lowering tariffs on staple products to ease household budgets.
  • The removal of the two-child limit will benefit nearly 70,000 children in Wales, and universal credit has been increased for 320,000 families.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jas Athwal Lab Ilford South
Economy Wales Benefits & Welfare
Context

The cost of living crisis in Wales has worsened with rising prices and inflation. The Labour Government promised to take steps to help.

Question

What steps are you taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the cost of living in Wales? I am concerned about the impact on families and individuals struggling financially.

Answer from Jo Stevens

We are doing everything we can to tackle the cost of living, including increasing wages faster than inflation, creating thousands of jobs, helping people into work, and increasing pensions and universal credit. We are also going further to ease pressure on families this summer, as tackling the cost of living is a core purpose of this UK Labour Government.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions in Wales were not detailed, only general statements made.

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Q2 Elaine Stewart Lab Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
Economy Taxation Wales
Context

The Chancellor announced the Great British Summer Savings Scheme to help families save money during the holidays. The impact of this scheme needs assessment.

Question

Can you update the House on the impact that these measures will have in Wales? I want to know how it will benefit my constituents and local businesses.

Answer from Jo Stevens

The Great British summer savings scheme is cutting VAT on children's meals, tickets for cinemas and theatres and other attractions. We are also lowering tariffs on more than 100 staple products to ease pressure on household budgets, support parents during school holidays, and back Welsh businesses.

Answered
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Q3 Jas Athwal Lab Ilford South
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

The Government removed the two-child cap, which helped many families. The impact on children in Wales needs to be explained.

Question

How is removing the two-child cap helping children in Wales? This policy took 5,000 children out of poverty in my constituency and I want to know its broader impact.

Answer from Jo Stevens

The removal of the two-child limit will benefit nearly 70,000 children right across Wales. We have also increased universal credit for 320,000 families and raised the minimum and living wages to help reduce poverty.

Answered
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Q4 Ann Davies PC Caerfyrddin
Economy Wales Veterans
Context

The new minority Plaid Cymru Welsh Government is claiming to take action, while the UK Labour Government has cut winter fuel payments for pensioners.

Question

Does the Secretary of State concede that Plaid Cymru is focusing on making a difference to people's lives and lowering the cost of living in Wales? We see actions rather than just words from them.

Answer from Jo Stevens

This Government have invested £134 million in the Cardiff capital region, approved seven new youth hubs across Wales, launched the summer savings scheme to cut costs, announced a social media ban to keep children safe, given pay rises to armed forces personnel, and expanded the Valour programme for veterans.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific actions in comparison were not detailed, only mentioned without comparison to Plaid Cymru's actions.

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Q5 Daisy Cooper Lib Dem St Albans
Economy Foreign Affairs Agriculture & Rural Affairs
Context

Farmers are facing pressures due to increased fertiliser and red diesel prices following the conflict between Trump and Iran.

Question

Unless urgent action is taken, higher costs for Welsh farmers will ultimately mean higher food prices. What measures are you introducing to tackle this issue?

Answer from Jo Stevens

We have protected farming budgets, all trade deals signed help farmers, and we are looking at all measures that can be introduced to tackle the cost of living and economic impact from the Iran war. We did not want to get involved in this conflict.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific mitigation measures were not detailed; only general statements made.

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