On Monday 17 October, the newly appointed Chancellor - Jeremy Hunt - gave an economic statement to the House of Commons. Stephen asked him if he would increase benefits to align with inflation.
During the statement, the Chancellor explained how the Government will reverse most of the changes to taxes they had announced at the recent Fiscal Event. While stamp duty and National Insurance measures will remain, the Government will scrap plans to cut dividend tax rates, reverse off-payroll changes, and to introduce a VAT free shopping scheme for tourists.
In April, social security benefits were only uprated by 3%, whilst inflation was around 10%. Rishi Sunak, when Chancellor, had made assurances that there would be a catch-up increase next April. Last month, Stephen asked the then-Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, if he would make the same promise. Kwarteng refused to repeat that assurance.
Speaking during the current Chancellor’s statement, Stephen asked Hunt the same question, ending with “will he recognise, as he reflects on his announcements in a couple of weeks’ time, that this is a matter, yes of compassion, but also of fairness?” Hunt did not commit to uprating benefits.
You can watch Stephen’s full question, and the Chancellor’s response, below.
The following Wednesday, Stephen raised this issue again during a debate on economic responsibility and plans for growth, making the case for raising benefits during the cost-of-living crisis. You can watch his intervention here.