Thank you to all those who have contacted me about child poverty and social security.

Poverty wastes potential and harms our country’s success and prosperity. More important still, it hurts children, not just in the future, but as they grow up. It harms their health and damages their self-esteem and wellbeing.

In my view, we need a system that supports us when we need it. Whether that be because we cannot work or can only work part-time; we have retired; we are sick or injured; or we are caring or bereaved. I believe that for the system to work, benefits need to keep their value over time.

As you know, the Government previously committed to increasing social security in line with inflation in April, but it is now unclear whether it still intends to do so. I assure you that I will continue to support efforts to press the Government to honour its commitment.

The Work and Pensions Secretary conducts an annual review of state pensions and benefits, with the new rates for the financial year 2023/24 expected to be announced later this year. I assure you I will continue to follow developments closely.

More widely, I have serious concerns that Ministers have created an unreliable system where people are faced with cuts that affect their living standards in unpredictable ways. I want to see a system that treats people with dignity and gives them more security, which is why I am supporting calls for Universal Credit to be reformed.

Thank you once again for contacting me about this issue.