Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department made of the impact of the measures in the fiscal announcement made on (a) 23 September; and (b) 17 October on families with disabled children.

The Treasury carefully considers the equality impacts of the individual measures announced at fiscal events on those with protected characteristics, including gender, race and disability – in line with both its legal obligations under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and with its strong commitment to equality issues. As part of these legal obligations, the Treasury considers equalities impacts and has due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination under the Act, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between different groups.

The Government understands that families across the UK, especially those with children who are suffering from long-term health conditions and disabilities, are worried about the rising cost of living. That is why the Government is taking decisive action to help families get through this winter, while ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way.

Recipients of extra-costs disability benefits, including children in receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) received a one-off Disability Cost of Living Payment of £150 from 20th September, to help with the rising cost of living. The DWP (Department for Work & Pensions) has already processed around 6 million such payments. A one-off £650 Cost of Living Payment is also being delivered to households in receipt of means-tested benefits.

We are continuing to keep the situation under review and are focusing support on the most vulnerable whilst ensuring we act in a fiscally responsible way.