Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The level of use of food banks by families has been increasing, prompting concerns about the adequacy of existing support measures.
What fiscal steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the level of use of food banks by families?
We are committed to ending mass dependence on food parcels. This includes extending free school meals to children in families receiving universal credit and removing the two-child limit, which will lift 450,000 children out of poverty and significantly reduce the number of families using food banks according to the Trussell Trust.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not specify fiscal steps or concrete financial measures
We Are Committed To
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
There are concerns about the role of financial institutions, including the mutual sector, in helping families and households in crisis situations.
Does the Minister agree that everyone—including financial institutions such as the mutual sector, which often outperforms the private banking sector in access to finance and branch closure issues—needs to play their part in helping families and households at this critical juncture?
We are a strong supporter of the mutual sector. As part of our financial inclusion strategy, we are backing the sector with initiatives such as the new £30 million credit union transformation fund and reform of the common bond.
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Assessment & feedback
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Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
There is a need for recognition of the work done by food banks and urgent improvements in benefit transitions and deductions to prevent households from falling into crisis.
Will the Minister join me in paying tribute to the work of the food banks, not only in my constituency but across the United Kingdom, in stepping up to plug gaps for families? Does she accept that urgent improvements in respect of benefit transitions and deductions are needed to prevent households from being pushed abruptly into crisis?
I pay tribute to the work of food banks. We are committed to ending mass dependence on food parcels and have lifted the two-child limit on universal credit, which will result in the largest expected reduction in child poverty in a single Parliament since records began.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not address urgent improvements in benefit transitions and deductions
We Are Committed To
Response accuracy