Chancellor’s Budget Statement “Doesn’t do enough for struggling families,” says Council leader
“Not good enough,’ is how Sefton Council Leader Cllr Ian Maher has responded to today’s Budget Statement by Rishi Sunak, complaining the Chancellor does not understand the difficulties faced by local people.
Crisis
Cllr Maher said: “On the day that has seen inflation in the UK reach its highest rate for 30 years, we needed to see more from the Chancellor’s statement in terms of measures to help hard-pressed Sefton households facing the cost-of-living crisis.
“We are ready to send out the Government’s one-off £150 energy rebate payment to Council Tax-payers in bands A to D but with domestic energy bills set to increase by 54% in April and by an average of £1,300 per year in October, this is still not enough for hard-pressed families, choosing whether to heat or eat. Domestic electricity customers will also get £200 off their energy bills from October, but they will have to replay this in future bills so it’s just a loan.
“Additionally, Mr Sunak is pressing ahead with introduction of higher National Insurance contributions and while he announced an increase in the payment threshold, this is a saving that increases for people earning higher wages.
Inflation
“It does not help households on low incomes, many of whom have to rely on benefits which, incidentally, have not risen by anything like the amount required to keep pace with inflation. And there was nothing for disabled people who are often forced to use equipment or require additional heating that pushes up fuel bills.
“We welcome the increase in the Household Support Fund but with numbers of people making applications to Sefton’s Local Welfare Support Scheme for help with everyday costs soaring, it is not a moment too soon.
“Mr Sunak made much of reducing the price of petrol at the pumps in his statement, but Sefton’s level of car ownership is lower than three-quarters of local authority areas in England and Wales, so this will benefit fewer people directly.
Fails
“Today’s Budget Statement is yet another example of a Government that likes to talk about levelling up but when it comes to helping struggling households in Sefton, many of which are working families, it fails to take the actions needed.
“And expecting people to be pleased by promises of tax cuts in 2024 when they are struggling to make every-day ends meet right now illustrates just how out of touch the Chancellor and his party are.”