Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Cost of Living in Scotland

09 January 2024 · 10 other contributors · 4,338 words

Opened by David Linden SNP Glasgow East

Responding minister: John Lamont

EconomyHousingBenefits & Welfare

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

David Linden raised concerns about cost of living in scotland in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The cost of living crisis in Scotland has led to emergency food parcels and poor mental and physical health among various groups including parents, carers, students, disabled people, and over-50s.
  • The UK Government is urged to take drastic action to reform the social security system by ending the five-week wait for universal credit, scrapping the two-child cap, and lifting the benefit cap.
  • The UK Government has implemented a 104 billion support package, providing an average of 3,700 per household to protect struggling families.

Key requests to Government

The British Government should take drastic action to reform the social security system by ending the five-week wait for universal credit, scrapping the two-child cap, and lifting the benefit cap. The energy bill guarantee scheme should be reintroduced and mortgage interest tax relief introduced.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

David Linden SNP Glasgow East

The cost of living crisis has led to emergency food parcels, poor mental and physical health, parents cutting back on meals, households reducing heating use, and reliance on pay-day lenders. The social security system no longer prevents hunger and destitution, impacting social tenants, those in and out of work, parents, carers, students, disabled people, and over-50s. Almost one-third of Scottish adults feel anxious about their financial situation, with nearly half experiencing fuel poverty.

Other contributors (10)
  • Anne McLaughlin

    Questioned Ofgem's decision to allow Scottish Power to force-fit prepayment meters despite their rules, especially concerning areas with lower life expectancy than 75 years.

  • Carol Monaghan

    Acknowledged that many of the issues in her constituency align with those discussed by her hon. Friend and highlighted the fact that 61% of people experiencing poverty are from working households.

  • Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West

    So many of my constituents are concerned about the cost of living and how they are going to afford it. Age Scotland says that 50% of people over 50 in Scotland have seen their standard of living decrease.

  • Drew Hendry SNP Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey

    Discussed energy policy issues in the Highlands, noting high electricity costs despite overproduction and high levels of fuel poverty, criticising the Government for failing to address these problems. Discussed challenges for constituents off-grid due to energy poverty, particularly in rural areas. Highlighted that Scotland is an energy-rich nation but many live in fuel poverty.

  • Gavin Newlands

    Discussed food inflation rates for staples such as pasta (31%), bread (33%), and beans (66%) over the last few years, questioning inaction by the Government on cost controls despite European examples of intervention.

  • Jamie Stone Lib Dem Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross

    Expressed personal concern about people having to choose between heating their homes and risking ill health or debt due to high energy costs. Addressed health impacts of fuel poverty, noting its effect on employment and overall well-being. Supported the need for action to alleviate these issues.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Commended the hon. Gentleman for bringing forward the debate on the cost of living crisis, emphasising its relevance to Northern Ireland and expressing concern about property prices that hinder first-time buyers from securing affordable mortgages.

  • Marion Fellows

    Joined the debate, stressing that the Tory Government has forgotten disabled individuals in its social energy tariff consultation process.

  • Martin Docherty

    Congratulated his hon. Friend on securing the debate and highlighted concerns about Westminster's responsibility for economic policies affecting Scotland, including criticism of the Government trying to devolve blame onto devolved administrations in Edinburgh, Cardiff or Belfast. Will the Minister give way?

  • Martin Docherty-Hughes SNP West Dunbartonshire

    Agreed with David Linden's points about the cost of living crisis made worse by UK Government policies. Highlighted that voting SNP in West Dunbartonshire can help alleviate the crisis.

Government Response

John Lamont

It is a pleasure to serve with you in the Chair, Ms Vaz. I begin by congratulating the hon. Member for Glasgow East on securing this important debate on the cost of living in Scotland. The United Kingdom Government fully recognise the challenges and pressures facing households due to the higher cost of living. We have taken decisive action to protect struggling families, with the largest support package in Europe worth £104 billion, an average of £3,700 per household. Energy price guarantees and bill support schemes covered around half of a typical household energy bill over winter 2022, saving a typical household approximately £1,500 by June 2023. Wholesale energy prices have fallen significantly with the average annualised household energy bill in quarter four of 2023 falling to £1,834 from £2,500 in 2022, and is expected to remain around £1,800 for the rest of 2024. Inflation has been reduced from a peak of 11.1% to 3.9%, helping with spending and investment planning which promotes job creation and prosperity. The Government will increase the national living wage by 9.8% to £11.44 an hour, benefitting around 200,000 people in Scotland. Additional targeted financial support for vulnerable groups includes cost of living payments reaching about 680,000 low-income and vulnerable households in Scotland, with millions more benefiting elsewhere. Pensioners across the UK have received additional financial support up to £600 over winter, maintaining the triple lock on pensions with a 8.5% increase from April 2024. The Scottish Government has been provided with an additional £2.4 billion to complement existing cost of living support delivered by this United Kingdom Government.

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