Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the impact of the cost of living crisis on the finances of families in receipt of maternity pay.

The Government understands that people across the UK are worried about the cost of living as they spend more on energy bills and essentials.

The Government has acted to bring down the cost of energy, and support all households with their bills this winter, including families in receipt of maternity pay. This includes the Energy Price Guarantee, which limits the unit price for electricity and gas, as well as the £400 discount through the Energy Bills Support Scheme. Furthermore, those in receipt of means tested benefits received a one-off Cost of Living Payment of £650, and additional support was provided for disabled people and pensioners, meaning that millions of the most vulnerable households will have received at least £1,200 of one-off support this year.

The action taken on energy support at the Autumn Statement will continue to protect the most vulnerable in society. The EPG will continue into next year and will be adjusted so that the typical household pays £3000 per annum from April 2023 until April 2024, saving the average household £500. Furthermore, the government will be making additional £900 Cost of Living Payments to households on means-tested benefits; £300 to pensioner households; and £150 to households on disability benefits in 2023-24.

It was also confirmed that Statutory Maternity Pay and Maternity Allowance will be uprated in line with the September rate of inflation in April 2023.