Lord Berkeley of Knighton
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Economic Inequality
Lord Berkeley of Knighton Excerpts(10 years, 6 months ago)
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Lord Newby
My Lords, as the commission found, there is a growing problem of in-work poverty. That is why my colleague, Vince Cable, asked the Low Pay Commission last month to look at the possibility of raising the minimum wage without damaging overall levels of employment.
Lord Berkeley of Knighton (CB)
My Lords, do the Government agree that the recent hike in energy prices is going to increase inequality in our society, and, if so, what do they propose to do about it?
Lord Newby
My Lords, the key is to have a sustainable and secure energy policy for the medium to long term. That is why the Government are investing so much in the energy sector and why the news about the agreement to build a new-generation nuclear power station was important. In the short term, all consumers should see whether they can save money—because many can—by switching their source of energy supply.