The cost of living

Work and Pensions Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 13 Jan 2022 Closed: 17 Apr 2023 Parliament page
The Committee has held oral evidence sessions on the cost of living in February and March 2022. It is now seeking written evidence on how the Government can support people on Universal Credit, legacy benefits and the state pension through the next year. Read the call for evidence to learn … Read more
9 Recommendations
2 Conclusions
1 Report
2 Oral sessions
3 Letters
2 Events
Activity timeline 9 events
21 Sep
2022
Correspondence
8 Sep
2022
Report published
27 Jul
2022
Report published
20 Jul
2022
Correspondence
30 Mar
2022
Correspondence
9 Mar
2022
Oral evidence
9 Mar
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 15, Palace of Westminster
9 Feb
2022
Oral evidence
9 Feb
2022
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 6, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 2 sessions
9 Mar 2022
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Work and Pensions Committee
Aveek Bhattacharya · Social Market Foundation Jack Monroe James Heywood · Centre for Policy Studies Julian Jessop Mike Brewer · Resolution Foundation Morgan Vine · Independent Age Peter Smith · National Energy Action
9 Feb 2022
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Work and Pensions Committee
Morgan Wild · Citizens Advice Peter Matejic · Joseph Rowntree Foundation Robert Joyce · Institute for Fiscal Studies Rory Weal · Trussell Trust Rt Hon Thérèse Coffey MP · Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Second Report - The Cost of Living HC 129 27 Jul 2022 11 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
3 results
Clear
1 Conclusion Acknowledged
Second Report - The Cost of Living
The Committee welcomes the Government’s swift action and range of measures introduced in response to...
The Committee welcomes the Government’s swift action and range of measures introduced in response to the cost of living crisis. It is clear that these will offset some of the increased costs for households living in poverty. However, we have … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the impact of the cost of living crisis on specific vulnerable groups and describes its communication efforts to ensure people receive their full benefit entitlements, including the Help for Households campaign and a dedicated online hub.
Department for Work and Pensions
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8 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The Cost of Living
The reset of Local Housing Allowance to cover the 30th percentile of rents was a...
The reset of Local Housing Allowance to cover the 30th percentile of rents was a welcome intervention at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the increase has since been eroded by rising housing costs. Some parts of the country … Read more
Government Response
The government describes measures to improve access to home ownership and states that LHA rates are not intended to cover all rents in all areas and are forecast to continue at their current level through to 2025-26, but this will be reviewed annually.
Department for Work and Pensions
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9 Recommendation Acknowledged
Second Report - The Cost of Living
We welcome the decision by the Government to exempt the cost of living payments from...
We welcome the decision by the Government to exempt the cost of living payments from the benefit cap so that those most in need of support can receive it. This decision suggests, however, that the Department knows that the cap … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges the recommendation for reviewing the benefit cap and states that the Secretary of State is reviewing further advice on this.
Department for Work and Pensions
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Government Response AI assessment · 11 of 9 classified
Accepted 2
Acknowledged 3
Rejected 6
Total 9 recs + 2 conclusions
Correspondence 3 letters
21 Sep 2022 Correspondence with the Secretary of State - 21.9.22
Parliament page
20 Jul 2022 Correspondence with Prime Minister and Minister for Welfare Delivery about the cost of living
Parliament page
30 Mar 2022 Correspondence to the Pensions Minister about Pension Credit
Parliament page