MP tells Prime Minister of child poverty in South Cotswolds

Roz Savage asked a question to Sir Keir at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, May 7, during which she said that 2,000 children in her constituency are living in poverty.

The Liberal Democrat asked the Labour Prime Minister whether he would commit to reversing changes like the two-child benefit cap and the winter fuel allowance, as well as introduce clear poverty-reduction targets.

“Under the Conservatives, inequality has surged, with over 14 million people - including 2,000 children in the South Cotswolds - now living in poverty, while the richest one per cent see their incomes soar,” Ms Savage said.

“Of the developed countries, we are now the ninth most unequal.

“Will the Prime Minister listen to the Liberal Democrats, the public and many of his own Labour backbenchers and commit to reversing changes such as the Personal Independence Payment, the winter fuel allowance and the two-child benefit cap, and introduce clear poverty-reduction targets to ensure that any economic growth benefits those who need it most?”

Ms Savage’s question was met by cheers in the Commons.

Responding, Sir Keir said the South Cotswolds MP was ‘right to raise the appalling record of the last government, which saw 900,000 more children in poverty’.

“We’re already delivering 750 free breakfast clubs, boosting the minimum wage for over 3 million - those are the lowest-paid workers in our country – and the Child Poverty Taskforce is looking at every lever that can be pulled,” he said.

“I’m very proud of the last Labour government’s record on tackling poverty, and we’ll continue to do that in this Government.”

Speaking after the exchange in Parliament, Ms Savage said: “The issues my constituents are most concerned about include the cuts to the Winter Fuel Payment, reductions in PIP, the continued imposition of the two-child benefit cap and the recent increase in inheritance tax for farming families.

“These policies are having a very real and damaging impact.

“They are pushing people into poverty and deepening inequality across our communities.

“It is unacceptable that 2,000 children in the South Cotswolds are living in poverty.

“That’s the equivalent of 80 double-decker buses full of children growing up without the security and opportunities they deserve.”

The MP was left dissatisfied with the Prime Minister’s response to her question, describing it as ‘lacking in substance’ and out of touch with the real struggles facing many.

She has pledged to keep fighting for a fairer and more compassionate approach to policymaking.

“Rather than taking responsibility or outlining any meaningful solutions, the Prime Minister simply listed a handful of policies being put forward by the Labour Government that don’t address inequality,” she said.

“Furthermore, he didn’t say anything about the hardship caused by the new changes they’ve brought in since coming to power.

“That’s not good enough.

“The public deserve more than political point-scoring – they deserve action.

“The legacy of the previous Conservative government is one of rising struggle, and this current administration is failing to put it right.

“I will continue to challenge the Government at every opportunity, calling for policies that tackle the root causes of poverty and support families, pensioners, disabled people and farmers here in the South Cotswolds.”

In mid-April, Ms Savage vowed to be a strong voice in Parliament for disabled people across the South Cotswolds and beyond following public concern over the Government’s planned cuts to disability support.

Following the delivery of the Spring Statement, the issue of disability benefits - particularly the tightening of eligibility for PIP - had become the most common topic raised by constituents contacting her office.

In February, Ms Savage called on the Government to scrap the latest energy bill-increase for pensioners stripped of the Winter Fuel Payments.

That month, it was revealed that the MP had visited St John’s Hospital almshouses in Cirencester to learn more about their work providing affordable housing and fostering a strong sense of community.

At the end of February, Ms Savage also spoke at the annual general meeting of Cirencester charity The Churn Project, where she celebrated its work supporting vulnerable groups across the town and the surrounding areas.

She visited the Cirencester Community Shed, one of The Churn Project’s community wellbeing services, at the beginning of March.

ENDS

Note to Editors: 

You can see Ms Savage ask her question on iPlayer via tinyurl.com/52z62tzn