Income Inequality

Debate between Baroness Hollis of Heigham and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Wednesday 31st January 2018 Lords Chamber

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

My Lords, we are advertising for replacements for the Social Mobility Commission, but I come back to what I said earlier: wages for the lowest-paid have risen by 7% in real terms since 2015. That is the way to deal with poverty and, indeed, with social mobility.

[Baroness Hollis of Heigham (Lab)]

My Lords, is the Minister aware that we, along with Lithuania, are the most unequal country in Europe? Is he also aware that, as a result, only Serbia, Romania and Hungary have a higher proportion of children in raw poverty than this country? Both of these are driven by the Government’s reluctance to tackle inequality.

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

No, that is not the case. I am afraid I must argue with the figures the noble Baroness has presented to the House. This country is the fifth-worst.

Pensions

Debate between Baroness Hollis of Heigham and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Thursday 5th May 2011 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hollis of Heigham]

My Lords, I am sure the Minister will agree that it would be highly desirable to extend the new state single pension to all pensioners if it can be done within the cost framework and the time limits available. However, does he agree that the new single simplified state pension will not only substantially tackle pensioner poverty but, equally important for the future, will mean that it is safe to save? It will lift people above means-testing, and therefore every penny of their savings will be enjoyed by future pensioners.

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

The noble Baroness is exactly right. Of course, that is what lies behind the Government’s proposals.

Welfare Reform

Debate between Baroness Hollis of Heigham and Lord Taylor of Holbeach

Tuesday 5th October 2010 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Hollis of Heigham]

My Lords, it has been estimated that 80 per cent of the cuts will fall on women, because women receive most of the benefits that have been alluded to. Women receive the bulk of public services and fill the most posts in low-paid public sector jobs. How will the Government ensure in the forthcoming comprehensive spending review that there is fairness to low-paid, hard-working women?

[Lord Taylor of Holbeach]

The Government are very mindful of the point that the noble Baroness makes. That is part and parcel of the detail that the proposals will address.