Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the impact of increases in household costs on families in rural areas.

We recognise that many households, including in rural areas continue to face cost pressures, and the Government is committed to improving living standards and strengthening families' financial resilience.

The Budget included a package of cost-of-living measures to help ease pressure on household budgets, including a £100 Household Energy Payment, the removal of VAT on domestic electricity bills, the planned abolition of gas standing charges, the extension of the 5p fuel duty cut, lower bus fares, and the suspension of tariffs on more than 100 supermarket products.