← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Cost of Living: Support for Young People
18 October 2022
Lead MP
Fabian Hamilton
Leeds North East
Lab
Responding Minister
Richard Fuller
Tags
NHSEducationHousingEmploymentBenefits & WelfareMental Health
Word Count: 7377
Other Contributors: 7
At a Glance
Fabian Hamilton raised concerns about cost of living: support for young people in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Hamilton urged the Government to increase universal credit in line with inflation rather than wages, pointing out that this would provide an additional £21.49 per month compared to £7.42 if linked to wages. He also called on the Minister to address mental health issues and ensure that young people are not forgotten during the cost of living crisis.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Fabian Hamilton expressed deep concern about the impact of rising costs on young people and families in his constituency, highlighting that 6,712 16 to 24-year-olds are on universal credit. He cited a UNICEF report indicating that over two million parents with children under five struggle with mental health due to the cost of living crisis. Hamilton also mentioned a child named Jack who attends YMCA sessions in Leeds and faces severe food shortages at home, emphasizing the urgent need for support.
Alison Thewliss
SNP
Glasgow Pollok
Expressed concern about the impact of rising costs on young people and children, highlighting that nearly half of children supported by Barnardo's have had to choose between feeding themselves or paying bills in the past year. Mentioned a report from Migrant Voice stating visa fees cost £2,500 every two and a half years for families, which limits choices for their children. Criticised government policies such as the staged minimum wage increase and discrimination against young people through Universal Credit. Highlighted Scotland's initiatives to support young people including free bus travel, greater free school meal entitlements, and the young person's guarantee.
Amy Callaghan
SNP
Glasgow North East
She pointed out that despite interventions from the Scottish Government, too many children are still living in poverty due to decisions made by the UK Government. She highlighted various measures taken by the Scottish Government for young people and argued for independence.
She questioned why young people were being left behind by the benefits system, unequal wages, and universal credit not covering living costs adequately.
James Murray
Lab Co-op
Ealing North
Mr. Murray highlighted the challenges young people face due to the cost of living crisis, emphasizing the impact of Conservative policies over twelve years and recent economic turmoil. He noted that mortgage availability for first-time buyers has been severely impacted by government actions, with more than 40% of available mortgages withdrawn from the market, leaving many unable to achieve home ownership. Additionally, Mr. Murray expressed concern about rental insecurity under current laws and urged the Government to commit to a rental reform Bill. He also discussed food poverty among young people, citing data that showed one in four had skipped meals due to financial constraints and 14% had used food banks within the past year.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
She highlighted the need for the Government to increase universal credit in line with inflation. She mentioned that many young people and children in her constituency are experiencing food insecurity, with some going without breakfast and lunch.
Paul Blomfield
Lab
Sheffield Central
He agreed with the previous speaker's points about students and their financial struggles. He noted research showing over half of university students were considering whether they could continue their studies due to pressures. He pointed out that students are unable to access certain types of support available to other low-income groups, such as pensioners in Germany. He highlighted that students, particularly those from poorer backgrounds, were at a disadvantage due to the salary threshold for maximum loans being frozen since 2008. He suggested adjusting this threshold to help more disadvantaged students access loans.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
She emphasized that young people, especially students, are facing severe financial pressures due to inflation and a 7.5% cut in maintenance loans. She noted that nearly two-thirds of UK students felt their mental health had been negatively affected. Ms. Hobhouse intervened to emphasize the importance of investing in young people as a means to drive economic growth.
Government Response
Richard Fuller
Government Response
The Minister emphasised that while tackling high inflation and economic challenges, the UK economy remains resilient with unemployment at its lowest in nearly 50 years. He provided statistics on poverty reduction since 2009-10, including a decrease of 2 million people in absolute poverty after housing costs, with 536,000 fewer children in workless households than in 2010. The youth unemployment rate fell to a record low of 9%, which is around a quarter below its pre-pandemic level. He highlighted the government's investment in young people through measures like the energy price guarantee and £37 billion of targeted support for the cost of living this financial year. The Minister also mentioned the national minimum wage increases, youth employment support, free school meals, holiday activities, mental health services, and the NHS's long-term plan investing an extra £2.3 billion per year in mental health services by 2023-24.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.