Responding to the Spring Statement, Poverty Alliance chief executive Peter Kelly said: “People in the UK voted for change at the last election because they were desperate for a government that delivers a just and compassionate country. Today’s announcements undermine that ambition.
“It is completely unjust to, once again, balance the books on the backs of the those on the lowest incomes. Today’s statement layered additional cuts to our social security system on top of those announced last week. That will have a devastating impact for households across the country.
“The Government’s own analysis shows that these changes will push at least 250,000 people, including 50,000 children into poverty, undermining the forthcoming child poverty strategy before it’s even published.
“These cuts will push people into debt and destitution. They will continue the need for food banks. They will stop people heating their homes, or charging essential medical and support equipment.
“People know that there is no justification for these cuts. It does not have to be like this. The Chancellor could scrap her self-imposed fiscal rules or use our taxation system to raise the revenue needed for the better future we all want to see.
“The UK Government is re-running a failed experiment – austerity will not deliver economic growth. And it certainly won’t deliver a just and compassionate society.”
Enter your email address to receive regular e-updates about our work. If at any time you want to stop receiving these, simply contact us. We’ll keep your details safe and won’t share them with any other organisations for their marketing purposes. For full details see our Privacy Policy.