Cost of living debate: Proportion of average earnings lower than when Lloyd George was PM

As the cost of living debate continues in the House of Commons, MPs are calling on the government to provide more support.

Chair of the work and pensions committee Stephen Timms told the House that the government ignored a unanimous cross party argument by the committee to keep the £20 per week uplift in universal credit. Timms also shared the data that the “proportion of average earnings lower than 1911”.

Labour’s Angela Eagle told the House that the government’s “indifference” would be remembered as the hard times get even tougher. Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse also called for government intervention at the risk of households struggling “far into the future”.