9 Former APPG memberships
Dementia, First Do No Harm, Haemophilia and Contaminated Blood, Ireland and the Irish in Britain, Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases, Nutrition: Science and Health, Sepsis, Trade and Export Promotion, Trade and InvestmentDivision Voting information
Debates during the 2024 Parliament
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
Sparring Partners
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
(11 debate interactions)
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
(9 debate interactions)
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
(8 debate interactions)
Department Debates
(9 debate contributions)
(7 debate contributions)
(5 debate contributions)
(5 debate contributions)
Legislation Debates
(1,687 words contributed)
(324 words contributed)
Lords initiatives
These initiatives were driven by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
1 Bill introduced by Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
A Bill to regulate and limit the practice of bottom trawling in marine protected areas; and for connected purposes.
Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick has not co-sponsored any Bills in the current parliamentary sitting
Latest 50 Written Questions
(View all written questions)In 2021, the National Audit Office published a report on evaluating government spending. The report highlighted several challenges regarding the Civil Service’s capacity to evaluate government policies, including a skills gap in evaluation.
It is the responsibility of individual government departments and professions to ensure that they have the capacity and capability to evaluate their policies and programmes, and to address any capability gaps they may have.
To support departments, the Cabinet Office is taking steps to improve the skills of analysts and policy officials across the Civil Service. For example, the Evaluation Task Force has created the Evaluation Academy to address a cross-government skills gap and build evaluation capacity in the analytical profession. The Evaluation Academy comprises 10 modules including process, impact and value-for-money evaluation that are aligned to the Magenta Book, the government’s guidance on evaluation. The Academy has been run for two consecutive years and has already led to more than 2,000 civil servants receiving training on evaluation topics and methods. The Evaluation Task Force has also provided advice on evaluation methods for 382 government programmes worth a total value of £202 billion.
Additionally, the Government Skills Campus project is building and rolling out a new Civil Service wide digital platform which will log the skills of all civil servants, including evaluation skills. This will create a Civil Service-wide skills dataset allowing for even more data-driven workforce planning and targeted action on capability gaps. Roll out begins in 2025.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
In 2021, the National Audit Office published a report on evaluating government spending. The report highlighted several challenges regarding the Civil Service’s capacity to evaluate government policies, including a skills gap in evaluation.
It is the responsibility of individual government departments and professions to ensure that they have the capacity and capability to evaluate their policies and programmes, and to address any capability gaps they may have.
To support departments, the Cabinet Office is taking steps to improve the skills of analysts and policy officials across the Civil Service. For example, the Evaluation Task Force has created the Evaluation Academy to address a cross-government skills gap and build evaluation capacity in the analytical profession. The Evaluation Academy comprises 10 modules including process, impact and value-for-money evaluation that are aligned to the Magenta Book, the government’s guidance on evaluation. The Academy has been run for two consecutive years and has already led to more than 2,000 civil servants receiving training on evaluation topics and methods. The Evaluation Task Force has also provided advice on evaluation methods for 382 government programmes worth a total value of £202 billion.
Additionally, the Government Skills Campus project is building and rolling out a new Civil Service wide digital platform which will log the skills of all civil servants, including evaluation skills. This will create a Civil Service-wide skills dataset allowing for even more data-driven workforce planning and targeted action on capability gaps. Roll out begins in 2025.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government is committed to the faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework and stakeholder engagement is an important aspect of this. When agreeing the Windsor Framework both the UK and EU made commitments to implement enhanced engagement mechanisms, allowing stakeholders the routes to share their views on the implementation of the Framework.
Since the Political Declaration was published on 27 February 2023 the government has continuously engaged with relevant stakeholders to discuss the Windsor Framework and to ensure businesses are able to realise its benefits. We established the Joint Consultative Working Group (JCWG) sub-groups and the UK-EU joint engagement programme which meet regularly, with the most recent engagements taking place in October. This was referenced in the last UK-EU Joint Statement, following the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework on 22 October.
Outside of these joint UK-EU engagements the UK government regularly engages with people and businesses in Northern Ireland. The Minister for the Cabinet Office has met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland to discuss the Windsor Framework. He also recently attended a roundtable at Queen’s University Belfast with businesses and civic society representatives to discuss Windsor Framework implementation. Likewise, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regularly engages with NI stakeholders and hosted a roundtable in Belfast for the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group to discuss the Windsor Framework on October 31.
UK government departments continuously engage with stakeholders to discuss the technical aspects of the Windsor Framework arrangements and this government is committed to continuing this engagement further.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
This Government is committed to the faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework and stakeholder engagement is an important aspect of this. When agreeing the Windsor Framework both the UK and EU made commitments to implement enhanced engagement mechanisms, allowing stakeholders the routes to share their views on the implementation of the Framework.
Since the Political Declaration was published on 27 February 2023 the government has continuously engaged with relevant stakeholders to discuss the Windsor Framework and to ensure businesses are able to realise its benefits. We established the Joint Consultative Working Group (JCWG) sub-groups and the UK-EU joint engagement programme which meet regularly, with the most recent engagements taking place in October. This was referenced in the last UK-EU Joint Statement, following the Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework on 22 October.
Outside of these joint UK-EU engagements the UK government regularly engages with people and businesses in Northern Ireland. The Minister for the Cabinet Office has met with the First Minister and deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland to discuss the Windsor Framework. He also recently attended a roundtable at Queen’s University Belfast with businesses and civic society representatives to discuss Windsor Framework implementation. Likewise, the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland regularly engages with NI stakeholders and hosted a roundtable in Belfast for the Northern Ireland Business Brexit Working Group to discuss the Windsor Framework on October 31.
UK government departments continuously engage with stakeholders to discuss the technical aspects of the Windsor Framework arrangements and this government is committed to continuing this engagement further.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government is committed to supporting the Northern Ireland Executive as appropriate in consulting with businesses, civil society groups, and representative organisations. There is regular contact between the Government and the Northern Ireland Executive on a range of issues and further detail will be provided in due course.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
7 Department for Business and Trade Questions
(View all Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick's DBT questions)Since the General Election, the Cabinet Office, with the support of the Department for Business & Trade, has written to departments to remind them of their responsibility to consider in their legislative plans the general requirement to make regulatory impact assessments available when bringing forward relevant legislation to Parliament. The Department for Business & Trade provides training and advice to officials across government to support their departments’ compliance with this and the wider requirements of the Guide to Making Legislation and Better Regulation Framework Guidance. The government supports the Regulatory Policy Committee in holding departments to account for their compliance with the framework; this includes publishing statements of lateness when regulatory provisions reach Parliament without a regulatory impact assessment or opinion from the committee where they require one.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government understands that the availability of flexible working can be important for those who are pregnant and in work. It can be equally as important for a number of other groups, including new parents, those with other caring responsibilities and those managing a disability or long term health condition. That is why, through the Employment Rights Bill, the Government is making flexible working the default for all employees, except where not reasonably feasible.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Employment Rights Bill establishes a new right to Bereavement Leave for employees to take protected time off to grieve. We will consult stakeholders on aspects of the design.
The Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024 enabled a ‘day one’ paternity leave entitlement for employees who become the primary carer for their newborn after the death of their partner. Regulations will then provide them with leave for up to one year after the child’s birth or adoption placement. This entitlement will have minimal impact on business and no impact on the Exchequer.
Acas maintain guidance for employers on bereavement including miscarriage.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Employment Rights Bill establishes a new right to Bereavement Leave for employees to take protected time off to grieve. We will consult stakeholders on aspects of the design.
The Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024 enabled a ‘day one’ paternity leave entitlement for employees who become the primary carer for their newborn after the death of their partner. Regulations will then provide them with leave for up to one year after the child’s birth or adoption placement. This entitlement will have minimal impact on business and no impact on the Exchequer.
Acas maintain guidance for employers on bereavement including miscarriage.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Employment Rights Bill establishes a new right to Bereavement Leave for employees to take protected time off to grieve. We will consult stakeholders on aspects of the design.
The Paternity Leave (Bereavement) Act 2024 enabled a ‘day one’ paternity leave entitlement for employees who become the primary carer for their newborn after the death of their partner. Regulations will then provide them with leave for up to one year after the child’s birth or adoption placement. This entitlement will have minimal impact on business and no impact on the Exchequer.
Acas maintain guidance for employers on bereavement including miscarriage.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The maximum value of UK SIELs (Standard Individual Export Licences) issued for direct export to Israel was £24.9 million in 2023.
The maximum value of UK SIELs where Israel was listed as an ultimate end-user, alongside multiple other destinations was £134.9 million in 2023. It is not possible to ascertain what proportion of that amount is attributable to Israel alone.
We do not hold data on value of any other licence type, including open licences. Data on the value of SIELs to Israel in 2024 has not yet been published.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
6 Department for Science, Innovation & Technology Questions
(View all Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick's DSIT questions)The work of the Independent Pornography Review is ongoing and is an important area of interest to this government.
The Review is expected to finalise by early 2025, with publication of the report following shortly after this.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The impact of ‘catfishing’ can be devastating for victims. Under the Online Safety Act all in-scope services will need to protect users from illegal content and criminal behaviour, including communications offences such as the false communications offence.
In addition, those services that are likely to be accessed by children will need to take steps to protect child users from content which is harmful. Ofcom will have robust powers enforce to against companies who do not comply with their duties
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The impact of ‘catfishing’ can be devastating for victims. Under the Online Safety Act all in-scope services will need to protect users from illegal content and criminal behaviour, including communications offences such as the false communications offence.
In addition, those services that are likely to be accessed by children will need to take steps to protect child users from content which is harmful. Ofcom will have robust powers enforce to against companies who do not comply with their duties
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The government consulted on the eligible entity criteria and procedural requirements for the super-complaints’ regime under the Online Safety Act 2023 earlier this year. We are carefully considering responses to the consultation to inform secondary legislation, which we intend to lay in spring next year.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Online Safety Act requires all services in scope of the regime to proactively tackle and prevent users from being exposed to the most harmful illegal content, much of which disproportionately affects women and girls. Illegal content includes harassment, stalking, and controlling or coercive behaviour. Under the Act, services over the designated threshold will also need to remove certain types of legal content, such as content that is abusive on the basis of sex or gender, where it is prohibited in their terms of service. Companies will need to have effective, accessible mechanisms in place for users to be able to report abuse and receive an appropriate response from the platform.
Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The future of the Holiday Activities and Food programme beyond the 31 March 2025 is subject to the next government Spending Review taking place this autumn and the department will communicate the outcome of that process in due course.
Minister of State (Education)
I refer my noble Friend to the answer of 21 October 2024 to Question HL1266.
Minister of State (Education)
The future of the Holiday Activities and Food programme beyond 31 March 2025 is subject to the next government Spending Review taking place this autumn and the outcome of the review will be communicated in due course.
Minister of State (Education)
9 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Questions
(View all Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick's Defra questions)We recognise the need to take action to ensure that UK consumption of forest risk commodities is not driving deforestation, and we will set out our approach to addressing this in due course.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
- The Government announced on 7 October that Safety and Security declarations will be required for EU imports from 31 January 2025. Readiness is assessed as being on track. A plan is in place that includes a comprehensive list of readiness activity, with engagement well underway with trade.
- Border Control Posts (BCPs) are designed to handle high volumes of imported Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) goods and carry out reliable checks which minimise friction on traffic flow. Most BCPs can process six or more vehicles at the same time with ample space to remove or inspect products.
- Checks at BCPs are handled by trained staff working to standard operating procedures, ensuring inspections are undertaken safely and efficiently. Inspectors are rigorously trained and are equipped to ensure SPS goods are handled safely and with care.
- GB plant health services have significantly increased the number of plant health inspection staff to service the demand for import checks in England and Wales of EU plants and plant products. Inspector levels are being monitored to ensure these meet demand and deliver checks in line with set Service Level Agreements and ensure minimal trade disruption.
- Responsibility for biosecurity and BCP infrastructure is a devolved matter. However, Defra is working closely with West Coast ports, the Welsh and Scottish Governments to ensure that BCPs across GB can implement the Border Target Operating Model. We will ensure that importers, ports and the authorities have time to prepare for these controls to be turned on.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra continues to monitor and review the impacts of new controls introduced under the Border Target Operating Model (BTOM). We will work closely with industry, trade partners and enforcement agencies to minimise costs to trade and disruption, while continuing to protect our biosecurity.
The Government’s modelling of the inflationary impact of the BTOM uses a peer-reviewed econometric model, including the impacts of non-tariff measures related to checks such as the cost of Export Health Certificates and port fees, and upstream impacts such as administrative processing time, training, certificates of origin and security deposits or guarantees when moving agricultural goods under licence.
Analysis has indicated the BTOM policies would lead to an approximate increase in consumer food price inflation of less than 0.2 percentage points over a three-year period
An outbreak of a major disease could have a much more significant impact. The 2001 outbreak of Foot and Mouth disease cost £12.8 billion in 2022 prices, £4.8 billion of which was cost to Government and £8 billion cost to the private sector.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Following their meeting in Brussels on 2 October, the President of the European Commission and the Prime Minister have agreed to strengthen the relationship between the EU and UK, putting it on a more solid, stable footing. We have already said we will seek to negotiate a UK-EU veterinary/SPS agreement to help boost trade and deliver benefits to businesses and consumers in the UK and the EU. The UK and EU are like-minded partners with similarly high standards. We recognise that delivering new agreements will take time, but we are ambitious, have clear priorities and want to move forward at pace.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Food Security is national security which is relevant to all five Government Missions and central to our primary Mission to grow the economy. Boosting Britain’s food security is one of the core priorities of this Government.
We need a resilient and healthy food system that works with nature and supports British Farmers. We will do this by listening to farmers and others with a stake in our food system, countryside, and nature.
The Government recognises the valuable role Local Food Partnerships can play in this regard and welcomes their knowledge and expertise as we develop our plans to support our farmers and food and drink businesses, boost food security, and deliver growth.
The Government will explore how to build on existing place-based initiatives and how to create the best environment for sustainable growth, working in partnership with local leaders.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Not for EU’ labelling is a requirement of the Windsor Framework and does not represent a change in standards of production and quality. Defra works closely with the agri-food sector to support them with labelling requirements and to ensure the continued supply of goods into Northern Ireland. The previous Government consulted on the proposal to extend the 'Not for EU' labelling requirement across Great Britain. This Government is carefully considering the evidence provided and no legislation to give effect to these arrangements has yet been taken forward.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The BTOM sets outs out a risk-based, proportionate regime of controls which assesses the inherent biosecurity or public health risk presented by an import, together with the prevalence of relevant pests and diseases and our confidence in the exporting country’s production standards and health controls.
This assessment allows us to set controls at the most appropriate level and focus on the areas of highest risk to the UK. The goods posing the highest biosecurity risk are being prioritised as we build up to full check rates and high levels of compliance.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Defra in conjunction with the Department for Business and Trade will work to reset the relationship with our European friends to strengthen ties and tackle barriers to trade, while recognising that there will be no return to the single market or customs union.
We will tackle trade barriers through seeking to negotiate a veterinary / Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement with the European Union to prevent unnecessary border checks and help tackle the cost of food.
I will update this House in due course on the next steps.
Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
Air Traffic Control tower operations at UK airports are commercial agreements between the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) and the airport concerned. The Government, Civil Aviation Authority and airlines do not have any involvement in these agreements.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Air Traffic Control tower at Edinburgh airport is operated by Air Navigation Solutions (ANSL). Air Traffic Control tower operations are commercial agreements between the Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP) and the airport concerned. Neither the Government or the Civil Aviation Authority has any involvement in the awarding of these contracts.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
This Government is committed to delivering greener transport and accelerating net zero and will study Zemo Partnership’s roadmap with great interest. The Government is supporting the increased uptake of zero emission motorcycles through the plug-in motorcycle grant until at least March 2025.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The Department for Transport continues to work with the Motorcycle Industry Association and in response to their report A Licence to Net Zero, requested additional road safety evidence to demonstrate that any potential reforms would be safe for all road users including mopeds. This has now been received and will be analysed in due course.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
This Government is committed to delivering greener transport to help achieve net zero by 2050, kickstart economic growth, make Britain a clean energy superpower and improve public health.
Mode shift away from more polluting vehicles plays an important role in delivering greener and more active transport and the Government will be ambitious in encouraging journeys by public and shared transport, and active travel. The Department aims to do this by transforming infrastructure and improving public transport to deliver more choice for freight and passengers.
At present, the Government has no policy to encourage or discourage greater use of motorcycles. The Government supports the purchase of zero emission motorcycles with the plug-in motorcycle grant for those who want to switch to an electric motorcycle. This is available until at least March 2025 and since 2016 has supported the purchase of over 14,000 mopeds and motorcycles.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
We recognise the importance of maintaining a thriving and competitive aviation sector in the UK that supports and strengthens Union connectivity.
Passengers between Belfast and London are well served with a choice of between 22 and 35 flights per day, depending on the season, between Belfast’s two airports (Belfast City and Belfast International) and five London airports (Gatwick, Heathrow, City, Luton and Stansted).
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
I recognise the importance of connectivity between London and Belfast and welcomed the recent Urgent Question on this issue earlier this month.
The Department meets regularly with airlines, including British Airways, to discuss a variety of topics. This includes operational performance and regional connectivity. The Department will continue to meet with airlines to discuss these topics going forward.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
Government continues to work closely with the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum to ensure that well-rehearsed traffic management plans for freight and passenger traffic are in place ahead of the introduction of the European Union’s new Entry/Exit system (EES).
Driver welfare is an important factor during any disruption. KMRF has responsibility for providing welfare to freight and non-freight traffic during a period of significant congestion or gridlock on the road network in Kent. KMRF holds an established Driver Welfare Plan, this is currently being reviewed ahead of EES implementation.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The UK is working to deter and disrupt the Russian shadow fleet. At the European Political Community Summit in July, we led efforts to ask European partners to sign a Call for Action that seeks to address the risks that the shadow fleet poses to maritime safety and security, and, crucially, the environment.
The Department for Transport takes robust measures to ensure all sea vessels in UK territorial waters, including the Strait of Dover, comply with environmental law.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The government has implemented, and enforces, a variety of mandatory environmental measures related to the use and carriage of oil, including heavy fuel oil, by sea. International standards are primarily set out in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), to which the UK is a signatory. Annex I of MARPOL makes provision for the prevention of pollution by oil from ships and includes mandatory requirements such as construction standards of oil tankers, limitations on size and arrangement of cargo tanks, damage stability requirements and a robust survey and certification regime. Compliance with these requirements is enforced by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) through surveys of UK registered ships and Port State Control inspections of non-UK ships when in UK ports. Non-compliance is managed through the detention of ships, prohibition notices and, where necessary, prosecution.
With regard to insurance, within certain tonnage limitations, UK ships and ships coming to or from the UK must have certificates to prove that they have the relevant compulsory civil liability insurance against oil pollution and liability insurance for the locating, marking and removing of wrecks in the event that the ship causes a pollution incident or is wrecked. Insurers must meet the UK’s criteria to provide appropriate cover and be approved by the MCA before a compulsory insurance certificate can be issued.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
The provision of tower services at UK airports operates in a commercial market, with contractual agreements in place between the provider of air traffic control services and the airport concerned.
Neither the Government nor the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has regulatory oversight of these commercial arrangements which are agreed between private businesses.
My officials and the CAA will, however, continue to engage with Gatwick airport and airlines wherever issues arise, which could impact services.
Minister of State (Department for Transport)
8 Department for Work and Pensions Questions
(View all Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick's DWP questions)The Department has not made an assessment of the impact of the rate of Statutory Sick Pay on employee retention, economic activity and growth.
The Department has undertaken a Regulatory Impact Assessment and an Equality Impact Assessment of the Statutory Sick Pay changes to remove the Lower Earnings Limit and remove the 3-day waiting period. Our RIA demonstrates that businesses may stand to benefit from the changes through increased employee productivity, lower staff turnover and reduced recruitment costs. Both impact assessments can be found here:
https://data.parliament.uk/DepositedPapers/Files/DEP2024-0716/Statutory_Sick_Pay_EA.pdf
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department publishes Universal Credit statistics on Stat-Xplore which show there were 7.1 million people on Universal Credit in September 2024 and 5.6 million people on Universal Credit in September 2020.
The Department also publishes the benefit expenditure and caseload tables which reported an average caseload of 4.0 million people on Universal Credit in 2020-21.
There are a number of reasons for the increase in the caseload for Universal Credit. There is a maturing effect, as people on legacy benefits leave the system as their legacy claim ends, they appear as a new claim to Universal Credit. In addition, the Move to UC programme is driving up the caseload numbers as people are moved off legacy benefits onto Universal Credit as part of our migration programme.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Delivering our manifesto commitment to tackle child poverty is an urgent priority for this Government, and the Ministerial Taskforce is working to publish the Child Poverty Strategy in Spring 2025.
Our publication on 23 October ‘Tackling Child Poverty: Developing our Strategy’ sets out how we will develop the Strategy, harnessing all available levers to deliver a reduction in child poverty this Parliament.
The Strategy will look at policies across four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience, and better local support especially in the early years. This will build on the reform plans underway across government and work underway in Devolved Governments.
The Taskforce will hear directly from experts on each of the Strategy’s themes. In October, they heard from partners in industry, regulation and the charity sector about options to reduce essential costs for low-income families. In November, employers, trade unions and think tanks will be invited to discuss options to increase incomes and financial resilience in low-income households.
The vital work of the Taskforce comes alongside our commitments to triple investment in breakfast clubs to over £30 million, introduce a Fair Repayment Rate for deductions from Universal Credit, and increase the National Living Wage to £12.21 an hour from April 2025 to boost the pay of 3 million workers.
£1 billion, including Barnett impact, will be invested to extend the Household Support Fund in England by a full year until 31 March 2026, on top of the six months already announced, and to maintain Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales. This will help struggling households facing the greatest financial hardship.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The latest statistics show that in 2022/23 there were 4.3 million children (30%) in relative low income after housing costs.
Statistics on the number of children living in absolute and relative poverty in the UK are published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication at Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab). The latest available data can also be found on Stat-Xplore: https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/. The latest statistics published on 21 March 2024 are for the financial period 2022/23.
Delivering our manifesto commitment to tackle child poverty is an urgent priority for this Government, and the Ministerial Taskforce is working to publish the Child Poverty Strategy in Spring 2025.
Our publication on 23 October ‘Tackling Child Poverty: Developing our Strategy’ sets out how we will develop the Strategy, harnessing all available levers to deliver a reduction in child poverty this Parliament.
The Strategy will look at policies across four key themes of increasing incomes, reducing essential costs, increasing financial resilience, and better local support especially in the early years. This will build on the reform plans underway across government and work underway in Devolved Governments.
The Strategy is building on a wealth of existing evidence and expertise from all relevant Departments, as is reflected in the broad membership of the Ministerial Taskforce. Ministers are also committed to leading discussions across all UK nations and regions.
The Taskforce will listen to experts and campaigners, engaging with charities, campaigners and leading organisations across the UK to shape and inform these plans, including hearing directly from families across the UK to gather insight.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
While we cannot commit to changing the two child policy, tackling child poverty is at the heart of the Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity and improve the life chances of every child.
The Child Poverty Taskforce will explore how we can harness all available levers to reduce child poverty, including by listening to stakeholders on potential changes, before publishing a strategy in Spring 2025.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
There are no plans to remove the reduced rate of Universal Credit for under 25s.
The reduced rate for under 25s reflects the lower wages that younger workers typically receive. This is intended to maintain the incentive for younger people to find work. Customers under 25 are also more likely to live in someone else’s household and therefore typically have lower living costs.
Additional amounts are added to a customer’s Universal Credit award to provide for individual needs such as housing, children, disability, and childcare costs.
Further, targeted help is available through the Household Support Fund, which has recently been extended to 31 March 2025.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
£500 million is being provided to enable the current Household Support Fund, including funding for Devolved Administrations through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion. This means Local Authorities in England are receiving £421 million to support those in need locally.
The current Household Support Fund will be in place until 30 September 2024.
As a new government, we are reviewing all policies, including the Household Support Fund.
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)