THE government’s response to the cost-of-living crisis has favoured the wealthy while “failing those in greatest need,” Labour said today, as the party cornered ministers in Parliament.
Shadow work and pensions minister Matt Rodda told the Commons that the rising costs of fuel, food and bills is leaving families and pensioners wondering how they will make ends meet.
He said: “Inflation is running at 11 per cent for everyday goods and petrol is now nearly £2 a litre.
“Yet the government’s response has actually favoured the more wealthy while failing those in greatest need.”
Mr Rodda asked work and pensions minister Guy Opperman why second-home owners were offered extra help while at the very same time the government has yet to drive up the take-up of pensions credit.
He also called for the publication of civil servants’ warnings on the effects of “this deeply unfair policy.”
Mr Opperman said he does not believe “£37 billion-worth of support should be sneered at,” adding: “This government is taking serious action to try and support those who are most vulnerable.”
Work and pensions committee chairman Sir Stephen Timms called for a review into “how we operate pensions and benefits” each year.
Shadow DWP minister Karen Buck warned that 42 per cent of universal credit claimants face deductions of an average of £61 a month.
And Labour shadow work and pensions secretary Jonathan Ashworth said the government is “failing” the economically inactive, who could return to work with the “right plan.”
He said: “Work should be the best defence from the rising cost of living, yet millions in work are in poverty.
“The numbers in overall employment are down by 500,000 pre-pandemic. And there are three million people on out-of-work benefits, not looking for work.”
He cited an estimation that around 800,000 people on out-of-work benefits could “be helped back into work with the right support and a plan.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Theresa Coffey claimed that Britain is in a “fortunate position” to have lots of job vacancies, despite warnings of disruption across the country caused by staff shortages.
She added that the government is “working hard” to ensure people fill the jobs and stay in them.
