Oral Answers to Questions

David Linden Excerpts

Tuesday 11th October 2022 Commons Chamber

[Felicity Buchan]

Decisions on the second phase of the levelling-up round will be made by the end of the year, and I wish my hon. Friend well.

[David Linden (Glasgow East) (SNP)]

13. What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the potential effect of inflation on that Department’s budget.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Chris Philp)]

I have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. If the hon. Member’s question relates to the operating budget of the DWP, we expect Departments to live within their existing CSR21 allocations. If his question relates to the level of benefits more generally, a statutory process is undertaken every year and no decisions have yet been made. They will be made in due course in the normal way.

[David Linden]

I thank the Minister for his answer, if not for his recent tweets. Has he had any representations from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to increase social security payments in line with inflation? Far too often, this Government talk about their agenda for growth, but failure to increase in line with inflation will result only in a growth in food banks in Easterhouse, in fuel poverty in Carmyle and in child poverty in Baillieston. When is the Minister going to do the right thing and commit to raising social security in line with inflation and not with earnings?

[Chris Philp]

I am obviously not going to offer any kind of running commentary on the ongoing internal discussions. I have said that the normal ordinary statutory process is ongoing, but the Government are mindful of the cost of living pressures that people are facing. I would draw the hon. Member’s attention to the large increase in the national minimum wage—I think about 7%—that took place last April or May, and there are now more vacancies in the economy than there are people on unemployment benefits.