First elected: 12th December 2019
Speeches made during Parliamentary debates are recorded in Hansard. For ease of browsing we have grouped debates into individual, departmental and legislative categories.
These initiatives were driven by Paula Barker, and are more likely to reflect personal policy preferences.
MPs who are act as Ministers or Shadow Ministers are generally restricted from performing Commons initiatives other than Urgent Questions.
Paula Barker has not been granted any Urgent Questions
Paula Barker has not been granted any Adjournment Debates
A Bill to make provision about the national minimum wage; and for connected purposes.
A Bill to make provision about the national minimum wage; and for connected purposes.
Transport (Disabled Passenger Charter) Bill 2021-22
Sponsor - Charlotte Nichols (Lab)
Workers (Definition and Rights) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Chris Stephens (SNP)
Trade Agreements (Exclusion of National Health Services) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Peter Grant (SNP)
Remote Participation in House of Commons Proceedings (Motion) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Dawn Butler (Lab)
Education (Guidance about Costs of School Uniforms) Act 2021
Sponsor - Mike Amesbury (Lab)
Covid-19 Financial Assistance (Gaps in Support) Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Tracy Brabin (LAB)
Houses in Multiple Occupation Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Ian Levy (Con)
Remote Participation in House of Commons Proceedings Bill 2019-21
Sponsor - Dawn Butler (Lab)
Different restrictions apply for those engaging in regulated activity dependent on many factors, such as the type of provision, the age, Special Educational Needs and Disability status of any children involved, and staff providing the activity. The Government expects anyone engaged in regulated activity with children and vulnerable adults to comply with all statutory requirements and safeguards, with appropriate oversight applied.
The Regulator of Community Interest Companies decides whether an organisation is eligible to become, or continue to be, a community interest company, and has no role in overseeing or ensuring compliance with any requirements (e.g. licensing or regulatory compliance) outside of this.
The Government has not made an assessment on the impact of energy price rises on child poverty. The latest statistics on fuel poverty in England cover 2023 and can be found in the published Official Statistics: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/fuel-poverty-statistics. Table 22 provide estimates of the number of households in fuel poverty by age of the youngest person in the household. Statistics for 2024 will be published in early 2025.
The Government is working with the recently announced Child Poverty Taskforce to deliver an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty, tackle the root causes, and give every child the best start in life.
The Government is committed to supporting households with the cost of energy this winter, and we are continuing to deliver the Warm Home Discount which provides a £150 rebate off energy bills for eligible low-income households.
I have also outlined our expectation to energy suppliers that they should do everything they can to support customers who are struggling with their bills, especially vulnerable consumers. Last month I met with energy suppliers and encouraged them to sign up to the Voluntary Debt Commitment for this winter, and I will work closely with them in the weeks ahead to ensure vulnerable consumers are supported through this winter.
The Government is committed to resetting the relationship with civil society and treating them as an equal, expert partner who will be integral to delivery of the Government’s vision for national renewal.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has policy responsibility for civil society. Ministers and senior officials are engaging regularly with a range of civil society leaders to discuss the contribution that civil society can make to Government priorities.
Work is currently underway across Government to shape and define the five core missions and DCMS is working closely with lead departments to ensure that civil society is appropriately involved in delivery of these missions.
The Government is committed to resetting the relationship with civil society and treating them as an equal, expert partner who will be integral to delivery of the Government’s vision for national renewal.
The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has policy responsibility for civil society. Ministers and senior officials are engaging regularly with a range of civil society leaders to discuss the contribution that civil society can make to Government priorities.
Work is currently underway across Government to shape and define the five core missions and DCMS is working closely with lead departments to ensure that civil society is appropriately involved in delivery of these missions.
The Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, should have access to and benefit from quality sport and physical activity opportunities.
The Government provides the majority of support for grassroots sport through our Arm’s Length Body, Sport England - which annually invests over £250 million in Exchequer and Lottery funding. Since 2019, Sport England has provided over £34 million of support to programmes which facilitate participation in grassroots rugby league.
The Rugby Football Union (RFL) is the National Governing Body for rugby league and receives £11 million of funding from Sport England across up to five years to help deliver strategic objectives, including tackling inequalities and improving access to sport.
The statutory duty to provide sufficient school places sits with local authorities. The department collects pupil forecasts and school capacity data from local authorities annually through the School Capacity survey. The department provides capital funding through the Basic Need grant to support local authorities to provide school places, based on the data they provide.
Nearly £1.5 billion of allocations have already been confirmed to support local authorities to create school places needed over the next three academic years, up to and including the 2026/27 academic year. This represents £745 million for September 2024, £195 million for September 2025 and over £520 million for September 2026.
The department also engages with local authorities on a regular basis to review their plans for creating additional places and to consider alternatives where necessary. When local authorities are experiencing difficulties, the department supports them to find solutions as quickly as possible. Published guidance makes clear the expectation that schools, academy trusts, dioceses, parents and other civic partners work collaboratively with local authorities to support them in the delivery of their place planning responsibilities. This government is reviewing this further to ensure it meets the needs of local areas.
Data on state-funded school places is published at local authority level in the annual school capacity statistics publication. The latest data available shows that, as at 1 May 2023, there were 75,150 state-funded school places, (39,570 primary and 35,580 secondary), in Liverpool. The annual school capacity statistics publication can be found here: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-capacity.
To open a free school, the department must be satisfied that the site is suitable and deliverable. The department has acquired the site for the school. However, there are a number of planning conditions that the department needs to satisfy before the school opens. The department is working closely with the Local Planning Authority, Liverpool City Council and the Great Schools Trust to address the planning requirements for the school.
The Government is committed to reducing plastic waste and in April 2024 announced a ban on plastic-containing wet wipes. We will be assessing further actions to take to address the challenge of plastic pollution and move to a circular economy for plastics.
As plastic pollution is a transboundary challenge, later this year, the UK will be attending the final round of negotiations to develop a legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution globally and is committed to negotiating an ambitious treaty.
This Government is committed to banning the sale, supply and manufacture of wet wipes containing plastic.
Safety on our roads is of the upmost importance and that is why the Government is committed to delivering a new Road Safety Strategy. The last set of safety data published by National Highways shows that, overall, all three types of smart motorway are safer than conventional motorways for safety metrics such as deaths or serious injuries. However, the data also shows that the risk of a collision between a moving and a stopped vehicle is greater on smart motorways without a permanent hard shoulder than on other motorway types, with the risk of a serious injury or death due to a stopped vehicle collision lower on conventional and controlled motorways. National Highways has been taking action designed to reduce the risks associated with live lane stops, including but not limited to rolling out stopped vehicle detection (SVD) technology. We will continue to monitor safety on these roads.
Affordability is one of our six key objectives for rail reform – wherever possible, prices should be kept at a point that works for both passengers and taxpayers.
We have just announced a new networkwide Rail Sale that will launch early next year to tie in with celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of Britain's passenger railways. Returning by popular demand, the sale will aim to encourage more people onto the railways by offering up to 50 per cent off train tickets for a specific time period.
We are also committed to simplifying ticketing and exploring options for expanding ticketing innovations like digital pay as you go, and digital season tickets across the network.
Under the 1980 Highway Act, it is the responsibility of the local highway authority to maintain and manage the highway network it is responsible for.
The Department for Transport does not collect nor require local highway authorities to provide data about the costs of overrunning and/or delayed road maintenance works. However, it recognises that overrunning works can cause significant disruption to people’s journeys and congestion. For example, overrunning works by utility companies have previously been estimated to cost the economy over £4 billion per year.
The Traffic Management Act 2004 (TMA) contains powers to enable authorities to operate permit schemes, which have been essential in improving the management and coordination of works, thereby reducing disruption and impacts on road users.
My Department does not collect information on road closures and we are not able to make an assessment of the proportion of the road network that was restricted. Roads are managed by either National Highways or local highway authorities, depending on the road in question.
The Department does hold data on the number of utility street and authority road works carried out in England via its Street Manager service for planning and managing works. The latest data available is for June 2024 which showed that 172,753 number of works took place that month.
Road works are essential to ensure that utility companies can install and maintain the infrastructure on which we all rely and highway authorities can maintain their roads to an appropriate standard. We continue to work closely with utility companies and local authorities to ensure that works are planned, managed and co-ordinated in the most efficient way, and in a way that reduces the impact they have on congestion and road users.
Those carrying out works must apply for a permit in advance from the relevant authority via the Department for Transport’s digital service known as Street Manager, which allows for co-ordination and planning, monitors performance and works’ durations, and streams open data on live and planned works. We also continue to look for improvements that can be made to the legislative framework that governs how works should be carried out.
Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits. They will continue to be worth £200 for eligible households, or £300 for eligible households with someone aged over 80.
Pensioners on low incomes and in receipt of Attendance Allowance can qualify for an additional amount in Pension Credit, providing they meet the other eligibility criteria.
In making a decision on Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, the government had regard to the equality analysis in line with the Public Sector Equality Duty requirements.
The Government estimates that linking entitlement to receipt of Pension Credit and other relevant DWP income-related benefits will reduce expenditure by around £1.4 billion in 2024/25 and £1.5bn in 2025/26.
The responsibility to make a claim to Pension Credit is with individuals, and we can only encourage them to apply. We encourage all pensioners who may be eligible for Pension Credit to use the Pension Credit Calculator to check eligibility and to use our online Pension Credit claims process, via telephone or paper claims.
The Government is determined to ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need. As part of Pension Credit Week of Action, we joined forces with national charities, broadcasters and local authorities to encourage pensioners to check their eligibility and make a claim.
From 16 September, we will be running a national marketing campaign on a range of channels. The campaign will target potential pension-age customers, as well as friends and family who can encourage and support them to apply.
Our future campaign messaging will also focus on encouraging pensioners to apply for Pension Credit before the 21 December 2024, which is the last date for making a successful backdated claim for Pension Credit in order to receive a Winter Fuel Payment.
We will work with external partners, local authorities and the Devolved Governments to boost the take-up of Pension Credit.
The latest available take-up estimates Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year ending 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) cover the financial year 2021/2022 and suggest an overall Pension Credit take-up rate of 63%. The next take-up estimates covering the financial year 2022/2023 are due to be published in October.
The department will deliver this year’s winter fuel payments within the existing planned headcount and budget. This is due to linking eligibility to Winter Fuel with existing means tested benefits rather than means testing Winter Fuel separately.
In terms of administrative costs, in 2022/23 the Department for Work and Pensions spent £2.6m on the administration of Winter Fuel Payments. It is currently assessing the delivery costs current and future years.
The savings were estimated in Fixing the Foundations as Annually Managed Expenditure (AME) Winter Fuel Payments (WFP) savings of £1.4bn, for 2024/2025, for Great Britain. These included an assumption about increased take-up of Pension Credit which is in line with the highest levels it has achieved historically. WFPs are classified as AME. Estimated savings are sensitive to forecasted take up of Pension Credit. Final savings will be certified and published by the Office for Budget responsibility at the Autumn Budget on the 30th October Budget, taking account of any behavioural response.
The estimated total cost if all people eligible for Pension Credit claimed is around £7.6 billion, for Financial Year Ending (FYE) 2022, for Great Britain.
This has been calculated by adding the benefit expenditure for Pension Credit for 2021/2022 (Pension Credit claimed by eligible pensioners) and the estimate of pension credit unclaimed by eligible pensioners in FYE 2022.
As published in DWP Pension Credit Take-up statistics, an estimate of up to 880,000 families who were entitled to receive PC did not claim the benefit, and the estimate of Pension Credit unclaimed by eligible pensioners in FYE 2022 is £2.1 billion. The pension credit expenditure was an estimated £5.5 billion in 2021/2022.
Source:
Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year ending 2022 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Benefit expenditure and caseload tables 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement.
Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the Government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control.
The department continues to maximise opportunities to promote Pension Credit and to raise awareness of its wider benefits and to encourage pensioners to apply. The department uses a range of creative media including TV, press, radio and social media to boost awareness of the benefit. We engage with stakeholders, including other Government Departments, Councils, and charities, to harness their help and support to raise awareness through their networks and channels.
The Government is ensuring pensioners are supported through our commitment to protect the Triple Lock, over 12 million pensioners will benefit, with many expected to see their State Pension increase by around a thousand pounds over the next five years.
Additionally, the Government will invest an extra £6.6 billion over this Parliament in clean heat and energy efficiency through the Warm Homes Plan, upgrading five million homes through solutions like low carbon heating and improved insulation to reduce emissions and cut bills.
Finally, the Household Support Fund is being extended for a further 6 months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025. An additional £500 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF, including funding for the Devolved Administrations through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion.
The Government has announced funding to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) for a further 6 months, from 1 October 2024 until 31 March 2025.
An additional £500 million will be provided to enable the extension of the HSF, including funding for the Devolved Governments through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion, as usual.
As with previous HSF schemes, the Fund will be made available to County Councils and Unitary Authorities in England to provide discretionary support to those most in need.
The HSF scheme guidance and individual Local Authority funding allocations for the forthcoming extension will be announced as soon as possible ahead of the scheme beginning on 1 October 2024.
As set out in its Terms of Reference published on 14th August, the Child Poverty Taskforce will ensure combined action across government departments, exploring all available levers to drive forward short and long-term actions to reduce child poverty.
The Taskforce will engage external experts throughout the strategy development process including through a rolling programme of meetings, with sessions built thematically to bring together a broad range of experts on specific topics.
The Government also recognises the importance of capturing the experiences of those living in poverty which is why the Taskforce will also draw on findings from wider external engagement events in all regions and nations of the UK. These events will convene a broader range of voices, including bringing in the perspectives of families and children themselves.
This Government is committed to pensioners – everyone in our society, no matter their working history or savings deserves a comfortable and dignified retirement.
Given the substantial pressures faced by the public finances this year and next, the government has had to make hard choices to bring the public finances back under control.
Winter Fuel Payments will continue to be paid to pensioner households with someone receiving Pension Credit or certain other income-related benefits.
We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need. Additional amounts can be included in an award of Pension Credit if a person is responsible for children or young persons who live with them, where the qualifying conditions are satisfied.
As set out in its Terms of Reference published on 14th August, the Child Poverty Taskforce will ensure combined action across government departments, exploring all available levers to drive forward short and long-term actions to reduce child poverty.
The Taskforce will engage external experts throughout the strategy development process including through a rolling programme of meetings, with sessions built thematically to bring together a broad range of experts on specific topics.
The Government also recognises the importance of capturing the experiences of those living in poverty which is why the Taskforce will also draw on findings from wider external engagement events in all regions and nations of the UK. These events will convene a broader range of voices, including bringing in the perspectives of families and children themselves.
We acknowledge the challenge presented by the interaction between Universal Credit and Housing Benefit for those residing in supported housing. However, people in supported housing and in receipt of Housing Benefit are always better off in work than not working at all.
It is the department’s priority to ensure that those who can work are supported to enter the labour market and to sustain employment. DWP is working in conjunction with West Midlands Combined Authority on a Proof of Concept which will test financial support for eligible 18–24-year-olds living in commissioned supported housing who move into work or increase their working hours and cease receiving Universal Credit. We are hopeful that this will provide new insight to inform future policy.
The Government’s Back to Work Plan is critical to growing the economy. This includes implementing a new national jobs and career service to help get more people into work alongside a Youth Guarantee. This will mean more quality opportunities for training, apprenticeships and help to find work for all young people aged 18-21 years old, preventing them from becoming excluded from the world of work at a young age.
£500 million is being provided to enable the current Household Support Fund, including funding for Devolved Administrations through the Barnett formula to be spent at their discretion. This means Local Authorities in England are receiving £421 million to support those in need locally.
The current Household Support Fund will be in place until 30 September 2024.
As a new government, we are reviewing all policies, including the Household Support Fund.
When a vaccination programme is expanded, decisions must be made regarding who to offer the vaccine to first. These decisions are based on advice given by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), and includes evidence of the impact of the vaccine in different age groups as well as the capacity of the National Health Service to deliver the vaccination programme alongside other important healthcare priorities.
From September 2023, the routine shingles vaccination programme changed from the Zostavax vaccine to the more effective Shingrix vaccine, to better protect individuals from the effects of shingles, provide better clinical outcomes, and reduce pressures on the health system.
A phased expansion of the routinely eligible cohort also began in September 2023. The programme currently includes those aged 50 years old and over who are at increased risk of serious complications, and those turning 65 years old on or after 1 September 2023, as well as those turning 70 years old, as was previously the case. The programme is next due to be expanded on 1 September 2028 to those turning 60 years old. There is no intention to change the planned expansion of the shingles vaccination programme.
Phasing the roll-out of the shingles vaccination over time to everyone aged 60 years old and over is in line with the JCVI’s recommendation, maximises cost effectiveness and population benefit, ensures consistent messaging over time to maximise coverage, takes account of NHS capacity, and is consistent with the approach taken by all four parts of the United Kingdom. This phased approach has been used in the effective implementation of previous immunisation programmes and whilst it may mean that some individuals may have to wait until the date that they would have originally been eligible, many others will receive the vaccines sooner and will benefit for longer.
Anyone unsure if they are eligible for the shingles vaccination should check online or should speak to their general practitioner. Further information on shingles vaccine eligibility is available at the following link:
The government recognises that there are ongoing challenges with domestic recruitment in adult social care and that the sector has become overly reliant on international recruitment. While the adult social care workforce in England grew by 4.2% in 2023/24, the number of posts in adult social care filled by people with a British nationality has decreased.
The government recognises the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth and reduce the reliance on international recruitment.
We have seen unacceptable increases in unethical practices and exploitation of international recruits in the adult social care sector. We are committed to improving the way international recruitment works in adult social care, to ensuring individuals work for legitimate providers, and to tackling the exploitation of workers.
This includes working closely with the Home Office to share concerns and intelligence. In addition, £16 million has been provided to regional partnerships this financial year which is focused on providing support to international workers affected by unethical employment practices to access appropriate services and provide pastoral support.
The Government recognises the scale of reforms needed to make the adult social care sector attractive, to support sustainable workforce growth and reduce the reliance on international recruitment. We want it to be regarded as a profession, and for the people who work in care to be respected as professionals.
Local authorities are best placed to understand and plan for the needs of their population, which is why under the Care Act 2014, local authorities are tasked with the duty to shape their care market to meet the diverse needs of all local people. This includes planning the balance of services which should be directly provided by the local authority, or commissioned from external care providers.
Our Plan to Make Work Pay sets out a significant and ambitious agenda to ensure workplace rights are fit for a modern economy, empower working people, and deliver economic growth.
Those working in social care have been ignored for too long, and so will be at the heart of our initial reforms. We will start by engaging with the sector to deliver a long overdue new deal for care workers, including establishing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement.
The wider employment protections we are putting in place will also enhance protections for those in the adult social care sector. The Employment Rights Bill will be introduced in the first 100 days in Government and will play a key role in delivering aspects of our Plan to Make Work Pay. This plan will support more people to stay in work, make work more family friendly, and improve living standards. This will put more money in working people’s pockets to spend, boosting economic growth, resilience, and conditions for innovation.
Ensuring workers in the United Kingdom receive fair pay for their work is a key pillar of the Plan to Make Work Pay. Building on the foundations of the creation of the National Minimum Wage, we will make sure that that minimum wage is a real living wage that people can live on. We will change the Low Pay Commission’s remit so that wages will reflect the need for pay to consider the cost of living. The Government has also committed to removing age bands so that every adult worker benefits, and we will work to ensure that the living wage is properly enforced.
In addition to these changes, we know that those working in social care have been ignored for too long. They will be at the heart of our initial reforms and we will start by engaging with the sector to deliver a long overdue new deal for care workers. This will include establishing the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for care professionals, working with trade unions and workers, and learning from countries where Fair Pay Agreements operate successfully.
The UK is concerned by the Israel Defense Forces' (IDF) ongoing military operation in the occupied West Bank and attacks by Palestinian militants. We recognise Israel's need to defend itself against security threats, but we are worried by the methods Israel has employed and by reports of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian infrastructure. The risk of instability is serious and the need for de-escalation urgent. As our statement on 30 August made clear, we continue to call on the Israeli authorities to exercise restraint, adhere to international law, and clamp down on the actions of those who seek to inflame tensions.
The UK Government welcomes the appointment of the Interim Government in Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus. The Interim Government in Bangladesh has the UK's full support as it works to restore peace and order including investigating alleged human rights violations and ensuring accountability. The British High Commissioner in Dhaka met with the Chief Adviser and Adviser for Foreign Affairs of the Interim Government in August. The British High Commission continue to engage with the Interim Government in Bangladesh on key priorities.
I spoke to the Bangladesh High Commissioner on 19 and 23 July to reiterate my concerns about the events unfolding in Bangladesh. In July and August, the UK Government issued statements expressing concern about the situation in Bangladesh, calling for all sides to work together to end the violence and for internet access and communications services to be quickly restored. We were clear that a full and independent UN-led investigation into recent events is important. The Interim Government in Bangladesh has the UK's full support as it works to restore peace and order including investigating alleged human rights violations and ensuring accountability.
In our public statements about the situation in Bangladesh, we urged for an end to the violence and a de-escalation of the situation. We were clear that a full and independent UN-led investigation into recent events is important. The UK Government welcomed the appointment of the Interim Government in Bangladesh, and it has the UK's support as it works to restore peace and order, as well as ensure accountability and promote national reconciliation. The UK is committed to Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) for all, as guaranteed under international human rights law.
The UK has consistently voted in support of the annual United Nations General Assembly Resolution calling for an end to the US embargo against Cuba. The embargo impedes the economic development of the country. Titles III and IV of the Helms Burton Act prevent and restrict British companies (among others) from conducting legitimate and lawful business in Cuba.
The people of Gaza face a humanitarian catastrophe. There is a high risk of famine across Gaza and more than 4 in every 5 people have been forced to flee their homes. During the Foreign Secretary's visit to Israel on 14-15 July he made clear to Prime Minister Netanyahu and other interlocutors that Israel must meet its commitment to "flood Gaza with aid". To further help those in need, the Foreign Secretary announced on 19 July that the UK will restart funding to UNRWA, and provide £21 million to support lifesaving work, including the provision of emergency food.
During the Foreign Secretary's visit on 14 July to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories he emphasised the need for a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution in meetings with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Katz.
Palestinian statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people. The UK is committed to recognising a Palestinian state at a time that is most conducive to the peace process, with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state.
The UK's position on settlements is clear. They are illegal under international law, present an obstacle to peace, and threaten the physical viability of a two-state solution. The Foreign Secretary raised this with Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Herzog during his visit to Israel and the OPTs on 14-15 July.
He stressed the UK's ambition and commitment to play its full diplomatic role in securing a ceasefire deal and creating the space for a credible and irreversible pathway towards a two-state solution. Central to lasting peace and stability is an end to expanding illegal Israeli settlements and rising settler violence in the West Bank.
HMT holds discussions with the Department for Work & Pensions and the Local Government Association on a wide range of issues.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has recently announced that the Government is providing half a billion pounds (including estimated Barnett impact) to extend the Household Support Fund (HSF) in England.
The HSF will run until the end of March 2025, and will enable Local Authorities to help vulnerable people and families receive emergency crisis support as we help people through the winter.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes the Gini coefficient for aggregate household wealth, which is a measure of wealth inequality, and this is released every few years using the Wealth and Assets survey. The ONS has published the Gini coefficient of wealth since July 2006.
The Energy Profits Levy (EPL) was introduced in May 2022 to tax the extraordinary profits of oil and gas companies operating in the UK and on the UK Continental Shelf. The levy is currently set at a rate of 35%, bringing the overall headline tax rate on upstream oil and gas activities to 75%.
In July, the government announced it would deliver on the commitment it made, whilst in opposition, to ensure the oil and gas industry contribute more towards our clean energy transition. This will be achieved by extending the EPL to March 2030, increasing its rate by three percentage points to 38%, and by removing unjustifiably generous investment allowances. Money raised from these changes will support accelerating the transition to clean energy, increasing security and independence while providing sustainable jobs for the future and helping to protect electricity bills against future price shocks.
The EPL changes will be implemented from 1 November, with further details to be announced at Budget.
The Government is committed to protecting access to cash forindividuals and businesses. The Financial Conduct Authority is the regulator responsible for access to cash further to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, with powers to seek to ensure the reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for individuals and businesses, including free withdrawal services for
The FCA published its final rules on access to cash on 24 July. Under its rules, designated firms will be required to undertake assessments of a community’s cash access needs following the closure of a service or a community request, and to put in a new service if necessary. These rules come into force on 18 September.