Autumn Budget: key announcements and our response

Juliette Flach, CAP’s Policy and Public Affairs Manager, dives into some of the key announcements from the Autumn Budget, which ones we’re welcoming, and what’s missing – as well as next steps we’re taking to continue fighting back against UK poverty. 

Juliette: On 30 October, we had the Autumn Budget. Now, this was a really pivotal time for us to see what the new Labour Government were going to do, what decisions around funding they were going to make, and what trajectory they were planning over the next coming months and year.

So, there was some welcome news. We saw some really positive changes made, for example, reductions in the deductions that could be made from Universal Credit, such as increases in the minimum wage, and also changes so that there’s not the age discriminationary practices in minimum wage rates.

These are things that we have pushed for policies that we’ve asked for in the past.

There was other welcome news, such as also, Carer’s Allowance being increased and some quite positive news, such as the 1.7% uprate of the benefits.

But there’s still challenges that people face this coming winter. It’s going to be a really difficult time, with costs still high and Social Security not high enough to cover the cost of essentials. People on low income from wages as well still struggling with the costs coming into this winter.

So although there was some positive news there were also policies that were missing. There wasn’t emergency support over this winter in the scale that was needed. Also, some policies, such as the two-child benefit cap that remain that are causing real challenge for people facing financial difficulty.

So coming now away from the Autumn Budget and looking ahead, we’re working with MPs, members of the House of Lords and to really talk with them about the realities that people are facing. The 22% of the UK population that are facing a deficit budget, and exploring with them different options they have going forward that could help reduce the financial difficulties people are facing and work towards ending UK poverty.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.

We look forward to updating you where more announcements are made that a positive wins for CAP and CAP clients and those facing poverty in the UK.

Thank you.