Asked by: Liam Conlon (Labour - Beckenham and Penge)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she has taken to help improve living standards for low-paid workers.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government has set out a Plan for Change, outlining our ambitious yet achievable milestones, including raising living standards in every part of the United Kingdom to ensure working people have more money in their pockets and delivering the highest sustained economic growth in the G7.
Specific actions already taken by the Government to support low paid workers include: increasing to the National Living Wage from April 2025; extending the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments in England and Wales in 2025-26; and introducing a new Fair Repayment Rate from April 2025 to cap debt repayments made through Universal Credit.
Asked by: Liam Conlon (Labour - Beckenham and Penge)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps her Department is taking to help increase access to high street banking services in Beckenham and Penge constituency.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets in Beckenham and Penge, and across the UK, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. These will provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. Over 100 banking hubs are already open.