Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the potential impact of increases in the cost of living on (a) women, (b) ethnic minorities, (c) disabled people, (d) single parents and (e) women with no recourse to public funds.

The government understands that families across the UK are worried about the cost of living, and are seeing their disposable incomes decrease as they spend more on the essentials. That is why the government has announced £37 billion of support for the cost of living this financial year, with most support going to those that need it most, regardless of their gender or ethnicity.

We have taken decisive action to support millions of households and businesses with rising energy costs this winter through the Energy Price Guarantee and the Energy Bill Relief Scheme. In addition to the Energy Price Guarantee, millions of the most vulnerable households will receive £1200 of support this year through the £400 EBSS, £150 Council Tax rebate and one-off £650 Cost of Living Payment for those on means-tested benefits, with additional support for pensioners and those claiming disability benefits.

Over the summer, a number of meetings and focus groups have taken place to hear disabled people's experiences in relation to the rising cost of living. Alongside this officials from the Disability Unit continue to engage with stakeholders to build the evidence base on how cost of living is impacting disabled people. This information will feed into the government’s response.

With regards to those without recourse to public funds, there are strong and important safeguards in place to ensure vulnerable migrants who are destitute and have community care needs, including issues relating to human rights or where the wellbeing of children is in question, can receive support.