The debate will be on the motion “That this House is concerned about the negative impact of Government policy on the finances of working people, with a growing squeeze on living standards caused by the £1,040 per year reduction to universal credit, the rise in National Insurance Contributions for low and middle income workers, increases in council tax, the freezing of the personal income tax allowance from April 2022, the increasing cost of household energy bills, the highest petrol prices since 2013 and the potential for the largest rail fare increase in a decade, the fastest rise in private rental prices since 2008, successive above inflation increases in childcare costs, and rising prices resulting from the supply chain disruption caused by worker and supply shortages; and calls on the Government to change the direction of its policies on these issues because they have created an avoidable and unacceptable burden on working people.”

Below is a list of Library briefing papers and data dashboards that cover areas discussed in the motion. More will be added throughout the day (21 September).

Universal credit

Income tax and NICs

Household debt and poverty

Energy

Rail fares increases

Regulated rail fares are typically increased each year in line with the Retail Prices Index (RPI) in July of the preceding year. The RPI for July 2021 was 3.8 per cent. Should the Government opt to continue this link between RPI in July and regulated rail fares increase, this would mean those fares would rise by 3.8 per cent in 2022. You can read more about how rail fares are set in the Library briefing, Rail fares, ticketing & prospects for reform.

Other

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