Oral Answers to Questions

Elaine Stewart Excerpts

Wednesday 17th June 2026 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[Elaine Stewart (Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock) (Lab)]

1. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the cost of living in Wales.

[Jas Athwal (Ilford South) (Lab)]

4. What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help reduce the cost of living in Wales.

[The Secretary of State for Wales (Jo Stevens)]

Let me begin by congratulating all the Welsh recipients of King’s birthday honours, which were announced over the weekend—particularly my hon. Friend the Member for Newport East (Jessica Morden).

We are doing everything we can to tackle the cost of living. We are increasing wages faster than inflation, creating thousands of jobs, helping people into work, and increasing pensions and universal credit, and we are going even further to ease the pressure on families this summer, because tackling the cost of living is the core purpose of this UK Labour Government.

[Elaine Stewart]

The Great British summer savings scheme announced by the Chancellor will have a positive impact on families across my constituency of Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock. More people will be able to save money while taking up opportunities to visit businesses and contribute to the local economy. Can the Secretary of State update the House on the impact that these measures will have in Wales?

[Jo Stevens]

My hon. Friend is right. What matters for families is not just getting by, but being able to enjoy time together without worrying about the next bill. The Great British summer savings scheme is cutting VAT on, for instance, children’s meals, tickets for cinemas and theatres and other attractions, and we are cutting the cost of the weekly shop by lowering tariffs on more than 100 staple products. All of that will ease pressure on household budgets, support parents during school holidays, and back Welsh businesses.