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MPs in disbelief as minister fails to answer questions on cost of living crisis

Jimmy Nsubuga
9 February 2022, 5:26 pm

Work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey has been branded 'embarrassing'. (Getty)

Work and pensions secretary Therese Coffey has been branded “embarrassing” after failing to answer a series of questions on the cost of living crisis.

People are facing a record slide in their living standards as energy bills soar and inflation spikes, with experts warning that poorer people will be pushed into poverty.

Watchdog Ofgem announced a 54% increase in the energy price cap last week that will lead to an average £700 rise in annual energy bills for around 22 million households from 1 April.

On Wednesday, Coffey batted away numerous questions on what the government is doing to support people struggling to get by.

Watch: 'Don't be ridiculous Neil': Therese Coffey over 'speculation' she would resign


Coffey told MPs on the work and pensions select committee she “couldn't remember” a number of answers, or other that departments were responsible.

In a particularly fraught interaction with Labour MP Neil Coyle, he accused her of “batting a lot of this off to other departments and junior ministers".

Coyle told Coffey it was “really disappointing that you’ve turned up and been unable to answer so many questions, it’s embarrassing”.

His remark came after the Coffey asked to come back to the committee about a question on “yellow card” sanctions for those on benefits.

Coffey said she either did not recall some details or was being asked about other departmental briefs.

After the session, committee chairman Stephen Timms said the lack of detail Coffey was able to give was “hugely disappointing”.

He said: “What is equally worrying was her admission that the cross-government group set up to address just these issues seems to have been paused at the critical moment when large numbers are facing spiralling food and energy costs.

“With a cost of living crisis looming, the committee will be writing to the DWP [Department for Work & Pensions] to seek some urgent answers on what more ministers plan to do to help those in need.”

SNP MP Chris Stephens said he was left "frustrated" by Coffey’s lack of detail.

He tweeted: “At the DWP select committee, I questioned Therese Coffey. I was frankly embarrassed and left frustrated by the minister’s lack of an answer.

“There was no recognition of the impact of UK Tory welfare policies on food insecurity and challenges with the cost of living.”

In an earlier session on Wednesday, charities shared concerns about how the poorest people will cope with rising costs while their income falls behind.

Morgan Wild, from Citizens Advice, said the “fundamental challenge is that people on low incomes are seeing incredibly high rising prices and no commensurate increase in their income”.

He said the Household Support Fund, which provides people with small grants to help with daily needs such as food, clothing and utilities, “isn’t a proper response to the rising costs that people are facing”.

Last week Bank of England governor Andrew Bailey warned that inflation could hit 7.25% by April and is unlikely to fall back to normal levels for two years.