End Child Poverty Responds to Mini Budget 2022
Mini budget fails to ADDRESS THE VERY REAL ‘CAN’T PAY THE BILLS’ CRISIS FACED BY POOREST FAMILIES
Download the full press release here.
The Chancellor today outlined his Mini Budget but failed to provide any real relief for families and young people who are hit hardest by the Cost of Living Crisis. Once again, the needs of children and young people have been ignored by decision makers.
Liv, 18; a Youth Ambassador for the End Child Poverty Coalition says;
“Young people, like me, are so concerned about the impact of the Cost of Living Crisis – yet once again the Chancellor has forgotten about the needs of families and young people who are living in poverty. Cutting stamp duty on a house I could never afford. Reducing national insurance and tax payments, benefiting highest earners the most – when young people under 20 are legally paid only £6.23 an hour, will not help us escape this crisis. Instead, we will be left using food banks, struggling to pay rent.”
Rachel Walters, End Child Poverty Coordinator says;
“Today’s Mini Budget announcement has once again continued to ignore the needs of children and young people living in poverty.
“We all know that living costs are skyrocketing, and incomes and benefit payments are just not keeping up. Yet families and young people living in poverty pay the highest price. Already hard-pressed families are in an impossible position and there is nothing left to cut back on. Parents are skipping meals so their children can get the nutrition they need, and sending kids to school in dirty uniforms because the cost to run the washing machine is too high.
“Young people who have grown up in poverty and have aspirations of going to university are now facing eyewatering accommodation, food and transport costs, without any additional help. Whilst young people in receipt of Universal Credit will automatically be paid less if they are under 25, simply because of their age.
“And from today’s announcement it is clear that there is no plan to give these children and young people the support they need to survive this crisis. Instead, the Chancellor has announced a reduction on benefit payments for some, whilst removing the cap on bonuses received by bankers. Decisions which seem completely removed from the real lives of struggling families and young people. Why are children and young people once again missing from these crucial policy decisions?”
