Oral Answers to Questions

Janet Daby Excerpts

Monday 18th December 2023 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Western (Stretford and Urmston) (Lab)]

8. What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of children in poverty.

[Janet Daby (Lewisham East) (Lab)]

11. What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of children in poverty.

[Mary Glindon (North Tyneside) (Lab)]

20. What steps his Department is taking to help reduce the number of children in poverty.

--- Later in debate ---

[Mims Davies]

I thank the hon. Gentleman for raising that report. I have looked at it, and it is important that we react to it. I point to our record of action. When it comes to further support for households with low incomes, we have heard in the Chamber—indeed, the Secretary of State mentioned this—about raising local housing allowance back to the 30th percentile, which will benefit 1.6 million low-income households by, on average, £800 a year in 2024-25. When that is added to the national living wage, the uprating of benefits and the availability of work, we are determined that those families will progress.

[Janet Daby]

According to End Child Poverty, 30% of children in Lewisham East were in poverty in 2021-22, while Lewisham food banks have seen a 42% increase compared to 2022. That comes after 13 years of this Conservative Government. To make matters worse, the reported cut to the national household support fund means that more than £13 million for households across Lewisham have been taken away. Is the Minister really serious about showing the leadership needed to stop families in my constituency from falling into destitution?