Thank you for contacting me about the Christians Against Poverty's upcoming roundtable discussion.
I would like to assure you that the Government is committed to reducing poverty. Over 2022-23 to 2024-25, the Government will provide cost of living support worth over £104 billion. This includes targeted support to the most vulnerable through Cost of Living Payments, which will be paid to eight million households on eligible means-tested benefits, eight million pensioner households and six million individuals on eligible disability benefits. Additionally, working age benefits - including Universal Credit- and will be increased by 6.7 per cent in April 2024.
Alongside this, in recognition that work is the best route out of poverty, the Government has taken action to boost employment. The Spring Budget 2023 set out a significant, wide-ranging package of measures that represent an investment of £3.5 billion over five years to boost workforce participation. These measures will be complemented by reforms made to the welfare system. Backed by £2.5 billion of funding, the Government's Back to Work Plan will transform the way people interact with the welfare system, ensuring that it provides a springboard for those capable of work.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.