Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support is available to young people who are not able to afford food during the period of increases to the cost of living.

With 1.25 million vacancies across the UK, Government’s focus is firmly on supporting people, including young people, into and to progress in work. Our approach is based on clear evidence about the importance of employment, particularly where it is full-time, in substantially reducing the risks of poverty. Employment support is a transferred matter in Northern Ireland.

The government understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and has taken further decisive action to help. The Energy Price Guarantee is supporting millions of households – including young people - with rising energy costs, and the Chancellor made clear it will continue to do so from now until April next year.
The Northern Ireland Energy Price Guarantee will provide households in Northern Ireland with equivalent financial support with their electricity and gas bills as for those in Great Britain beginning 1^st November 2022 and backdated to 1^st October 2022.

This is in addition to the over £37bn of cost of living support announced earlier in the year, which includes Cost of Living Payments of £650 (paid in two lump sums of £326 and £324) to more than 8 million low-income households on means-tested benefits and £150 to individuals receiving disability benefits – including young people who are in receipt of eligible benefits. These payments are delivered UK-wide.

We recognise that some people may need further support, which is why the government has provided an additional £500 million to help households with the cost of essentials, on top of what we have already provided since October 2021. Of the £500m, the NI Executive is receiving £14m.