Contributions
1,165 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARD Food Price InflationAs I said, we recognise that the single biggest driver of pressure on household incomes has been rises in gas and electricity bills. That is why the Government have focused their…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationThere have been so many questions for the Chancellor that I am sure by now he has tuned in and is listening to proceedings. In answer to the initial part of the hon. Gentleman’s…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationThe Chancellor acted with urgency in his spring statement to increase spending on the household food budget, to increase the national living wage and to put in place easements on…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationAgain, these are matters for the Chancellor, but I would simply say that, as we emerge from this pandemic, there are challenges—challenges to global supply chains, challenges to…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationMy hon. Friend raises a fair point, but I point out that the farm-gate price of milk has risen by close to 30% so far this year, the price of lamb is at record levels, having just…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationThe Government pledged to keep spending on agriculture in cash terms the same year after year in this Parliament, and that is precisely what we are doing. The right hon. Member is…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationI am sorry that the hon. Gentleman does not want to hear facts, but the urgent question is about food price inflation and the facts about that do matter. He is the one who wishes…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationThe global spike in oil and gas prices has affected the price of agricultural commodities. Agricultural commodity prices have always been closely correlated with energy costs,…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationThe analysis we have done on food price inflation—I would point out to my right hon. Friend that, in the month of April, food prices on average rose by 1.5%—suggests that around…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationWe have obviously made some changes to the benefits system over the years, in particular the introduction of a tapered reduction in universal credit; it always pays people to work…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationMy hon. Friend makes an important point. Projects and charities such as that do indeed perform an important role in our country. Often, the strongest part of their role is not…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationAs I acknowledged in the statement, it is undoubtable that rising energy bills have affected household incomes, because people are paying more money on their gas and electric.…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationThese matters are regularly discussed in Cabinet, but it is perhaps best that I do not go further at this particular stage.19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationThe reality, as I have said, is that the changes in global commodity prices are being driven by the high price of gas and energy. As I pointed out earlier, the cost of fertiliser,…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationThe action that the Chancellor has taken so far was announced earlier this year in the spring statement. It included a £150 rebate on council tax bills, and a £200 rebate on…19 May 2022HANSARD Food Price InflationI reject the hon. Lady’s caricature. This Government increased the national living wage to £9.50 an hour and have consistently raised tax thresholds so that the poorest do not pay…19 May 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsI reassure my hon. Friend that we are well aware of that challenge. My noble Friend Lord Benyon is leading a piece of work on the green market, including looking at where we…28 Apr 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsIn introducing the seasonal agriculture workers scheme, we were very keen for it not to undermine the domestic labour market and prevent people from joining it. We wanted to give…28 Apr 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsMy hon. Friend is right about the importance of biodiversity net gain. It will ensure that we can get the housing development that we need while protecting nature and building…28 Apr 2022HANSARDTopical QuestionsThe Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused shocks to international commodity markets. Over the last few days, I have been in the United States to meet political leaders and the US…28 Apr 2022