Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) impact of the (i) Spring Statement 2022 and (ii) October Budget 2021 and (b) combined impact of those fiscal events on (A) women, (B) Black, Asian and minority ethnic people, (C) disabled people, (D) LGBT+ people and (E) pensioners.

The Treasury carefully considers the impact of its decisions on those sharing protected characteristics, including at Spring Statement 2022 and Autumn Budget 2021 and other fiscal events, in line with both its legal obligations and with its strong commitment to promoting fairness.

Those with protected characteristics are amongst those who are benefitting from the actions taken at the Spring Statement 2022 and Autumn Budget 2021. These include increases in the National Living Wage (NLW) to £9.50 an hour for workers aged 23 and over, which will benefit women, people with disabilities and individuals from some ethnic minority backgrounds, who are more likely to be on the NLW.

Women and the LGBT community are disproportionately affected by domestic abuse and sexual violence and are being supported by increased funding announced at Autumn Budget 2021 for victim support services, including Independent Sexual and Domestic Violence Advisors.

Spending Review 2021 also announced an enhanced offer for workers aged 50 and over to ensure that older workers receive the support they need to remain in or return to work and benefit from fuller working lives.