Oral Answers to Questions

Justin Madders Excerpts

Tuesday 19th December 2023 Commons Chamber

[Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Neston) (Lab)]

14. What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of the OBR’s growth forecasts on living standards.

[The Chief Secretary to the Treasury (Laura Trott)]

The OBR revised up its growth figures after data revisions by the Office for National Statistics indicated the economy had recovered more fully from the pandemic than had been expected, which means that the current level of real GDP is nearly 3% higher than was predicted in March forecasts.

--- Later in debate ---

[Laura Trott]

I want to reassure the hon. Gentleman: no decision has been made about the household support fund. More broadly, however, we have pulled in an average of £3,700 per household this year to help people with exactly what we are talking about. This Government are on the side of people during what is a very difficult time.

[Justin Madders]

According to the Low Pay Commission, one in five people who should be receiving the national minimum wage do not even get that. This is a huge failure of enforcement. How can we have increased living standards if people do not even receive the legal minimum to which they are entitled?

[Laura Trott]

If the hon. Gentleman can give individual examples, I ask him please to let us know. It is, obviously, extremely important that we enforce this, but I should point out that we will increase the levels by 9.8% next year, which will make a significant difference to households up and down the country.