MP for Penrith and The Border, Dr Neil Hudson, again called on the Government to support some of the most vulnerable in society when he pressed the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on uprating benefits in line with inflation, in an exchange in the House of Commons earlier.
Standing up in Parliament, Dr Hudson welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to putting compassion at the heart of Government before asking if this compassion would be put to use supporting those in receipt of benefits.
The Secretary of State, Mel Stride MP, replied that the House would come to know about a range of associated issues including benefits uprating, the pension triple lock and pension uprating when the Chancellor lays out the Autumn Statement on 17th November.
Dr Hudson has long pushed for a compassionate approach towards those in receipt of benefits which included voting to continue the Universal Credit uplift and making repeated representations to Government on the issue.
In the Chamber, Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
“I very much welcome the Prime Minister's commitment that compassion will be at the heart of Government. It is so important that we support the most vulnerable in society. With that in mind, will my Right Honourable Friend agree that we can show that compassion and support by uprating benefits in line with inflation?”
Speaking afterwards, Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, added:
“As I’ve repeatedly said during the cost-of-living crisis, we need compassionate One Nation Conservatism to stabilise the economy while making sure the most vulnerable in society are protected.
“I understand the Government will not release details on benefits until the Autumn Statement on 17th November, however, Conservative MPs such as myself, are making sure Ministers are aware of the wealth of feeling on the subject among the parliamentary party and my constituents in Penrith and The Border.
“Put simply, uprating benefits in line with inflation is the compassionate and moral thing to do for a forward-looking progressive nation such as ours.”
