During a Liaison Committee meeting on 20 December, Stephen urged the Prime Minister to strengthen the social security safety net for those struggling with the cost of living crisis.
Chairs of Select Committees were given the opportunity to question the Prime Minister on the areas they work on. Stephen raised the sharp rise in food bank demand over the last year and asked him what the Government is doing to tackle food poverty. Stephen also urged the Prime Minister to improve specific areas of support, including free school meals, local housing allowance and the Warm Homes Discount.
Speaking during the hearing, Stephen said “food bank demand has continued to rise, except when you increased Universal Credit to £20 a week, and then it dipped, so that is why I say I think we will need to see an improvement in the social security safety net.”
You can watch the full exchange below.