Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the impact of the cost of living crisis on people who were ineligible to claim Government financial support during the covid-19 outbreak.

Throughout the pandemic, the Government sought to protect people’s jobs and livelihoods while also supporting businesses and public services across the UK. To do this, the Government has provided up to £400 billion of direct support for the economy.

COVID-19 support schemes were designed at pace at the outset of the pandemic in order to get as much support to as many people as possible, to target support for those who needed it most and to protect the taxpayer against error, fraud and abuse.

The government understands that people across the UK, including those most impacted by the pandemic are worried about the rising cost of living. In May, we announced over £15 billion of additional cost of living support, targeted at those with the greatest need. As a result, millions of vulnerable households will receive at least £1,200 of support this financial year, with the vast majority of households receiving at least £550.

This built on the over £22 billion previously announced, meaning government support for the cost of living now totals over £37 billion this year, equivalent to 1.5% of GDP.