UK Fiscal Policy Living Standards (Scotland) 2021-03-09
2021-03-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of UK fiscal policies on Scottish communities, particularly regarding budget allocations and their effects on local living standards.
What recent discussions have you had with your Scottish Government counterpart on the effect of UK fiscal policy on living standards in Scotland?
I have frequent discussions with the Scottish Government Finance Secretary and spoke to her ahead of the Budget last week.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific details or commitments on how UK fiscal policies are affecting living standards in Scotland, only mentioned a discussion took place.
Frequent Discussions
Spoke To Her Ahead Of The Budget
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the impact of reduced business support on Scottish high streets, especially with the closure of pubs and increased supermarket profits during lockdown.
Despite furlough, high streets face devastation—first shops and now pubs, an even harder space to fill. Was the Budget not an opportunity to support what are community assets in urban as well as rural areas and where alcohol consumption is supervised and not unchecked? With supermarkets having made huge profits during lockdown, much of that through alcohol sales, is it time to support the Social Market Foundation's call to increase alcohol duty on off-trade to sustain the on-trade in our communities?
Many businesses across Scotland argued for the alcohol freeze, not least the Scottish whisky industry. They also argued for the fuel freeze, which my right hon. Friend the Chancellor delivered. I am also surprised, when the hon. Gentleman talks of community, that he does not even recognise the extra capacity funding that his community received in the Budget.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to supporting pubs or increasing alcohol duty on supermarkets despite the questioner's specific requests, only mentioned support for businesses against policy changes.
Extra Capacity Funding
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the upcoming end of the £20 universal credit increase, affecting many disabled individuals in Scotland. The Scottish Government has committed to tackling child poverty through various measures.
The poverty Chancellor has refused to make permanent the £20 universal credit increase and apply it to legacy benefits, with 75% of those affected being disabled. If he refuses to change course, 60,000 Scots, including 20,000 children, will be left in poverty and forced to decide between heating and eating. If the Minister was in their position, what would he choose: heating or eating?
First, as was set out in analysis published with the Budget, the measures that the Government have taken have supported the poorest working households the most. Secondly, the hon. Lady also failed to mention the additional capacity funding for her community that was announced at the Budget.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to extending or applying the universal credit increase to legacy benefits as requested, only mentioned previous measures and funding allocations.
Measures Supported Poorest Working Households
Additional Capacity Funding
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is concerned about the end of the £20 universal credit uplift, which has been a lifeline during the pandemic for many families in Scotland. The Scottish Government has committed to tackling child poverty.
As the Minister will be aware, the £20 uplift to universal credit has been a lifeline during the pandemic. Many families in my constituency are devastated that the uplift is set to end in September. With the Scottish Government committed to tackling child poverty, including through the game-changer Scottish child payment, the UK Government-imposed cliff edge could pose a significant setback. Does the Minister agree that plunging children and families into poverty, whether it is now or in September, is a callous act, and will he commit to a permanent uplift to universal credit?
We have managed to get a hat trick, because the hon. Lady also received capacity funding for her own area at the Budget but chose not to mention that funding, which will help the families she referred to. It is also slightly odd for her to talk about plunging into something when the Chancellor has announced an extension.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not commit to making the £20 universal credit increase permanent as requested, only mentioned funding extensions and support measures.
Capacity Funding
Extension
Response accuracy