Oral Answers to Questions

Ian Byrne Excerpts

Tuesday 1st February 2022 Commons Chamber

[Alex Cunningham (Stockton North) (Lab)]

1. What fiscal steps he plans to take to help reduce the impact on households of the rise in the cost of living.

[Ian Byrne (Liverpool, West Derby) (Lab)]

5. What recent assessment he has made of the impact of inflation on trends in the levels of living standards.

[Paul Blomfield (Sheffield Central) (Lab)]

8. What fiscal steps he plans to take to help reduce the impact on households of the rise in the cost of living.

--- Later in debate ---

[Rishi Sunak]

I am proud of this Government’s track record in supporting pensioners. Thanks to the triple lock, in place since 2010, pensions are, relative to earnings, the highest they have been in more than three decades. However, I recognise the anxiety that many pensioners will feel about rising energy bills, and we are always looking at the best way to support people. To help with exactly that phenomenon, the winter fuel payment provides up to £300 for everyone over the state pension age.

[Ian Byrne]

With the cost of living crisis upon us, millions across our country must choose between heating their home or putting a meal on the table. Hunger is a political choice made by this Government and the buck stops with the Chancellor. Last week, he wrote off £4.3 billion of covid fraud. If he has the will, he can end the crisis of food insecurity for millions across our nation. Will he use his spring statement to implement a right to food, including universal free school meals and setting social security payments and the living wage at rates calculated to take account of the rising cost of food?

[Rishi Sunak]

On providing food for those who most need it, I am pleased that the recent spending review confirmed £200 million of extra funding for the holiday activity and food programme to provide support to families and children outside term time. The national living wage, which the hon. Gentleman mentioned, is going up by 6.6% to £9.50 in April, putting an extra £1,000 in the pockets of hard-working people up and down the country.