Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how they are seeking to prevent and reduce the effects of the poverty premium.

The government has focused on lifting people out of poverty. Since 2010 there are 1,000,000 fewer people, including 300,000 fewer children, in absolute poverty (before housing costs), both record lows.

The government recognises that energy costs and access to financial services can be an issue for some families living in poverty. The government has a range of policies to support households with their energy bills such as the Warm Home Discount, Energy Company Obligation and Winter Fuel Payment schemes. The government is also committed to ensuring that individuals, regardless of their background or income, have access to useful and affordable financial products and services, and has established a Financial Inclusion Policy Forum, which provides leadership and ensures collaboration across government and with the sector in tackling financial exclusion. Following the first meeting of the Forum, a sub-group will now tackle the important issue of access to affordable credit, driving this work forward ahead of the next Forum meeting.