Poverty Alliance says mini budget will do nothing for people who need help the most

Responding to the Chancellor’s mini budget today, Peter Kelly, director of the Poverty Alliance, said:

“The new Prime Minister and Chancellor have taken office at a time when the country is being swept up in a rising tide of poverty. In communities across the UK, more and more people are being pushed into impossible decisions like whether to heat their home or pay their rent.

“Today’s mini budget provided the opportunity to take the action needed to protect people from being pulled deeper into poverty. It offered a chance to create lifelines for people who are struggling to stay afloat, for example by boosting Universal Credit to strengthen our social security system. Instead, Kwasi Kwarteng’s statement embodied the economic policies that helped create the social and economic injustice that exists today.

“Governing is about priorities. The Chancellor’s statement, with its tax cut for the wealthiest, makes clear where his priorities lie. Instead of ending the benefit cap, he scrapped the cap on bankers bonuses. Those on the highest incomes will get even more; those in low paid part-time jobs will be expected to work harder just to stay afloat. His priorities are the wrong ones, and fail to reflect the values of justice and compassion that are at the heart of our society. This mini budget will do nothing for the people who need help the most.”