My constituents have contacted me about child poverty.
I am pleased that statistics show that there were 100,000 fewer children in absolute poverty in 2023/24 compared to 2009/10, and the new Government must build on this.
I believe that one of the best ways to lift children out of child poverty is through growing up in a working household. I will be pushing for the Government to announce its new welfare measures as swiftly as possible, and scrutinising their efforts to help claimants transition back into work and tackle the UK's growing sick note culture.
This is why I supported the wide-ranging package set out in Autumn Statement 2023, which invested £2.5 billion over five years to boost workforce participation and tackle economic inactivity. It is disappointing that the Government's increases in Employers National Insurance and proposals within the Employment Rights Bill are discouraging businesses from hiring new staff.
In recognition of the exceptional circumstances of the last few years, action was taken to provide relief for those who need it most. Annual statistics on incomes and living standards show that the previous Government’s cost of living support prevented 1.3 million people from falling into absolute poverty after housing costs in 2022-23. That includes 300,000 children, 600,000 working-age adults and 400,000 pensioners.
Over 2022-23 and 2023-24, the former Government provided an unprecedented Cost of Living support package worth £96 billion, which included £20 billion for two rounds of Cost of Living Payments for over eight million households on eligible means-tested benefits, over six million people on eligible disability benefits, and over eight million pensioner households. That includes 300,000 children.
Moreover, it also supported the lowest paid with a 9.8 per cent rise in the National Living Wage to £11.44 per hour.
I will continue to press the Government to support those in need and take additional steps to tackle worklessness.
