Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of higher levels of inflation on spending on public services.

The plans announced at Spending Review 2021 mean that total departmental spending is set to rise to £566 billion in 2024-25 – a cash increase of £150bn per annum over the Parliament.

It is standard practice for the government to set cash budgets, and for departments to manage the risk of inflation. However, the government is also driving a renewed focus on efficiency, to ensure that departments can continue to deliver on their commitments and make their resources go further.

The government is taking important steps to get inflation under control through strong, independent monetary policy, responsible tax and spending decisions, and reforms to boost our productivity and growth.

The Government will be announcing measures shortly to address energy price costs.