Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of increasing child tax credit.

Child Tax Credit was increased in line with CPI in April 2020, and will be further increased as part of the annual uprating exercise in April 2021 to ensure it keeps its value relative to the cost of living.

Alongside these increases, the Government has put in place a comprehensive package of measures to support families on low incomes through the current crisis. This includes income support schemes, support for renters, help with utilities, a £500 million local authority hardship fund, a £7.4 billion package of additional welfare measures, the £170 million Covid Winter Grant Scheme to ensure families get extra support this winter, and the £220 million Holiday Activities and Food programme to give children access to nutritious meals and engaging activities.