Lichfield’s MP says the Government is “well aware that action is needed” to help those battling the cost of living crisis.
It comes after Michael Fabricant contacted the Treasury and benefits ministers following a visit to Lichfield Foodbank.
The Conservative MP has called for them to “uprate benefits immediately in line with inflation” rather than wait until the autumn.
But Simon Clarke MP, number two in the Treasury, replied to Mr Fabricant to say that the September date for a review of benefits had been in place since 2011 and allowed time for the “legislative and complex delivery process” to take place before new rates were introduced in April.
“The Government is providing support to families worth over £22billion in 2022-23 to help families with cost of living pressures – this includes cutting the Universal Credit taper rate and increasing work allowances to make sure work pays, freezing alcohol duties to keep costs down, and providing millions of households with up to £350 to help with rising energy bills.
“At the Spring Statement, the Chancellor went further, announcing an increase to the annual National Insurance Primary Threshold and Lower Profits Limit to £12,570, and an additional £500million to help the most vulnerable with the cost of essentials through the Household Support Fund.
“Families and businesses across the UK will also benefit from a 12-month cut in fuel duty of 5p per litre, the largest cash terms cut that has ever been applied to all fuel duty rates at once. This cut represents savings for consumers worth almost £2.4billion over the next year.
“And, from 1st April 2022, the National Living Wage increased by 6.6% to £9.50 an hour for workers aged 23, which will benefit more than two million workers.”
Simon Clarke MP
David Rutley MP, Minister at the Department of Work and Pensions, said:
“All benefit up-rating since April 1987 has been based on the increase in the relevant price inflation index in the 12 months to the previous September.
“The Secretary of State’s decisions regarding benefits and pensions uprating for this financial year were announced to Parliament on 25th November 2021 – and the increase of 3.1% from April 2022 was debated and approved by both Houses of Parliament earlier this year.”
David Rutley MP
Mr Fabricant said that despite no immediate action, it was important pressure was kept on senior ministers to ensure those on the breadline were supported.
“It looks from the replies from the Treasury and the Department of Work and Pensions that benefits won’t or can’t be uprated in the immediate future.
“But asking these questions, whose answers are published publicly by the House of Commons, helps pile on the pressure, particularly as it comes from an MP in the party of Government.
“I am led to understand, however. that additional help will become available possibly in the form of subsidies to reduce fuel and other bills. With inflation running at over 9%, the fastest in 40 years, we really can’t afford to delay too long as it is causing real hardship.
“In practice, this may well be a better way of providing assistance as it will help hard-pressed pensioners and others on fixed incomes, but who are not on benefits.”
Michael Fabricant MP
