Benefit Rate Freeze

Baroness McIntosh of Pickering Excerpts

Monday 30th October 2017 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Buscombe]

I absolutely understand where the right reverend Prelate is coming from, but I want to make it clear that we are doing all we can to help those most in need and, for example, maintaining payments for people with additional needs. That is why we will be spending a further £2.5 billion this year to support pensioners and carers and to maintain the value of payments to people faced with the extra costs of disability needs. In addition, we are giving extra support to lone parents and children.

[Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Con)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree that memories are extremely short? Does she remember a time when a different Government were in power and pensions were put up by a miserly 75 pence a week?

[Baroness Buscombe]

I certainly remember that well. It is completely right that we do all we can to support pensioners.