Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Household Budgets

Tuesday 23 June 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government launches the great British summer savings package to cut VAT on summer activities
  • Measures taken in the previous Budget reduced energy bills by 150 through removing levies
  • Government is investing 3 billion in local bus services and freezing bus fares until next year

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Josh Newbury Lab Cannock Chase
Economy Housing Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question arises from the ongoing challenges faced by households due to high energy costs, inflation, and global economic pressures.

Question

What steps has she taken to help support households with the cost of living? This includes measures like cutting VAT on summer activities and maintaining the triple lock.

Answer from Rachel Reeves

The Government recognise that energy costs, inflation and global pressures continue to squeeze household budgets. That is why we have taken careful, targeted action through the great British summer savings package which launches on Thursday, cutting VAT on summer activities so that adventure parks, soft play centres, cinemas and theatres will be cheaper, alongside the work we are doing to maintain the triple lock and to lift children out of poverty.

Partly answered
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Q2 John Lamont Con Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Economy Taxation Energy
Context

The question stems from constituents facing high energy costs, particularly those dependent on heating oil, which raises concerns about the Government's pledge to cut energy bills.

Question

How does the Chancellor think that squares with the Government's pledge to cut energy bills? The question highlights huge tax rises and their impact on hardworking individuals.

Answer from Rachel Reeves

The measures I took in my Budget last year took £150 off energy bills by getting rid of some levies altogether and moving others to general taxation. If we look at the most recent inflation numbers, inflation in the UK was 2.8% last month, which compares to 3.2% in the eurozone and 4% in the US. Food inflation was at its lowest rate for 17 months.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific measures addressing heating oil costs for constituents

How: Looking At Inflation Numbers

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Q3 Josh Newbury Lab Cannock Chase
Transport
Context

The question arises from the need to continue supporting families and farmers by addressing transportation costs, particularly focusing on free bus travel for children.

Question

Does the Chancellor agree that continuing to look at how we can support affordable bus travel for constituents like mine in Cannock Chase will be very important even beyond the great summer break? This includes recognising the ongoing need for affordable transport solutions post-summer.

Answer from Rachel Reeves

As my hon. Friend knows, we are investing £3 billion in local bus services to both improve the service for passengers and freeze bus fares until at least March next year. This summer there will be unlimited free travel for children aged between five and 15 in his Cannock Chase constituency and across the country.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Future plans beyond the current summer scheme

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