Increased Living Costs Benefit Claimants 2021-12-13
2021-12-13
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Increased living costs are putting pressure on households claiming benefits.
What steps her Department is taking to support benefit claimants in meeting increased living costs. I am concerned about the impact of rising costs on those who rely on universal credit and other benefits.
The Government are taking action to make work pay for low-income households. We are reducing the universal credit taper rate and increasing the work allowance so that working people can keep more of their earnings. A £500-million household support fund has been introduced for local authorities to help those on the lowest incomes with food and utility costs.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address how specific individuals or groups are impacted by increased living costs.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
1 in 10 households are struggling with a £5 per month increase in living costs.
Does the Minister accept that his Government's failure to tackle increasing rents and energy costs will impact the poorest in society more and push more of my constituents into poverty? About 12,000 households in Luton South are claiming universal credit.
The hon. Member will welcome the fact that the vast majority of the nearly 6,000 claimants in work will gain from the reduction in the taper rate and the increase in work allowances in the Budget. £1.8 million has been made available to local authorities through the household support fund.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address rising rents or energy costs directly, only mentioned the household support fund.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A single father is struggling to afford basic necessities due to reduced benefits.
With prices rising, is not the social security safety net just too low? A single father who cannot work due to health issues told the Select Committee that he had to skip meals so his children could eat. He now cannot afford food, heating or transport and cannot buy Christmas presents for his children.
We have introduced the household support fund. In Newham, £3.3 million is available for those facing challenges this winter.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address whether the safety net covers basic living costs or if a review will take place.
Response accuracy
Q4
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The household support fund is replacing the £20 a week uplift in universal credit.
In effect, the new household support scheme replaces the £20 universal credit uplift with £1.60. Can the Minister tell me how that will help families through this harsh winter? Over 16% of families in Blackburn live in fuel poverty and face higher fuel prices due to rising costs.
Steps are in place for those in work, out of work or vulnerable. The universal credit taper and work allowance help those employed. The plan for jobs helps unemployed people find employment. For the vulnerable, there is the household support fund with £1.6 million available in Blackburn and Darwen this winter.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not specify how the scheme will replace the uplift effectively or address fuel poverty directly.
Response accuracy
Q5
Partial Answer
▸
Context
Food costs are increasing, affecting households claiming benefits and those in work.
Everyone knows that costs are rising dramatically. We see price rises in shops already. The Food and Drink Federation estimates a £3 weekly increase for households. With the £5 mentioned earlier, does the Minister understand just what pressure this puts on vulnerable households? What will the Government do to protect them when these price rises hit?
It is important that we get more people into work, with 1.3 million vacancies available. We help unemployed individuals enter employment which will be sustainable in getting them on their own feet. The household support fund in Cambridgeshire amounts to £3.6 million to assist the vulnerable.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address rising food prices specifically or propose measures beyond job creation and existing funds.
Response accuracy
Q6
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The Government have frozen the local housing allowance despite rising rents and a shortfall in support for renters.
With housing costs driving poverty, why did the Government decide to freeze the local housing allowance? Millions of renters are affected by this decision. Rents are increasing while support remains unchanged.
We increased LHA rates to 30th percentile of local rents in April 2020, a boost of £1 billion providing an average gain of £600 per person. We maintained these at cash levels and offer discretionary housing payments for those needing extra help.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not address the decision-making process or assessment impact on household incomes from freezing LHA rates.
Response accuracy
Q7
Partial Answer
▸
Context
1 million pensioners are not claiming the pension credit to which they are entitled.
To help pensioners with rising household bills, will the Government do more to promote pension credit? In Kettering, almost 18,000 retired people claim state pensions but fewer than 2,000 claim pension credit. Pension credit can assist with council tax, heating costs and other expenses.
My hon. Friend is a strong advocate on these issues. We have a dedicated Pensions Minister working hard to increase take-up. Winter fuel payments and cold weather payments are also available for those on low incomes over winter.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Did not confirm specific plans or actions being taken by the Government to promote pension credit uptake.
Response accuracy