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October’s Budget Statement - what needs to be included

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06 October 2024

The post-pandemic cost-of-living crisis is not over and its impacts are still being felt. 

 

The new Labour Government’s upcoming October 30th Budget Statement is a fundamentally important opportunity to not only address current issues but also to act to prevent another winter of financial hardship, fuel and food poverty. 

 

Citizens Advice noted recently,

 

“While our data shows some easing in cost-of-living pressures over the summer, the figures remain alarmingly similar to those from this time last year—just before we experienced a record-breaking winter for financial hardship. Many households are on the brink, unable to endure another harsh winter. Our polling reveals that 1 in 4 bill payers—representing 6.9 million households—fear they may be forced to turn off their heating and hot water this winter”.

 

The Government has already been active on a number of issues around economic growth, ‘net zero’, climate change and more; stressing the need for long term solutions to long term problems.

 

While we agree that many areas of social and economic policy and practice require a considered and, in some cases, ‘root and branch’, review we also know that, without immediate financial support, many low income households will face this winter not being able to pay their rent, feed their children or heat their homes.

 

For these reasons Citizens Advice are calling on the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, to include the following in her Budget Statement:

 

  • A continued uprating of Local Housing Allowances in line with the 30th percentile of local market rents beyond March 2025. 
  • Measured reductions in the amounts deducted from Universal Credit payments. 
  • A restoration of targeted energy bill support for low income households this winter.

 

If you agree with the need to prioritise this “lifeline support” please contact your local MP and ask them to support these measures. 

 

For further information on LHA uprating read here. 

For further information on UC deductions read here.

For further information on targeted energy bill support read here.

 

Further information about the other campaigning work of Citizens Advice can be found here.  

End.

 

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