Oral Answers to Questions

Vicky Foxcroft Excerpts

Wednesday 28th June 2023 Commons Chamber

[Chris Stephens (Glasgow South West) (SNP)]

7. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the impact of cost of living increases on households in Scotland.

[Vicky Foxcroft (Lewisham, Deptford) (Lab)]

8. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the cost of living in Scotland.

[Alan Brown (Kilmarnock and Loudoun) (SNP)]

11. What recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the impact of cost of living increases on households in Scotland.

--- Later in debate ---

[John Lamont]

This United Kingdom Government remain absolutely committed to supporting the most vulnerable in society during these difficult times. That is evidenced by our providing support to people who need it the most: for example, over £137.5 billion to pensioners on benefits, £67.9 billion on benefits to support disabled people and people living with health conditions, and a further £114.3 billion on welfare benefits for working-age adults and children. In addition, since April, benefits and state pensions have been uprated by 10.1%. This Government are taking the action that is most required to support the people in most need, and we reject the hon. Gentleman’s analysis that we are doing nothing.

[Vicky Foxcroft]

Under the last Labour Government, absolute child poverty levels in Scotland fell from 40% in 1997 to 20% in 2007, but that has been all but reversed. The SNP Government are not on track to meet their own goal of lowering child poverty to less than 10% by 2030—[Interruption.] SNP Members shout, but there is a reason why they do so. What steps are the UK Government taking to ensure that child poverty returns to the low levels last seen under the last Labour Government?

[John Lamont]

The hon. Lady is right to highlight the failures of the Scottish Government, and SNP Members’ reaction shows that they do not like being challenged. They shout, heckle and try to shut down any contrary argument.

As I said, this Government are absolutely committed to supporting the most vulnerable in society. We will continue to support all parts of our society—children, householders and anyone else who needs support during these cost of living pressures.