The chief executive of the Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association (MHA) has spoken of his disappointment that Wednesday’s Budget did not include more measures to support those on the lowest incomes.
Lee Bloomfield said:
“I welcome the cut in the Universal Credit taper rate but this will only benefit a minority of those already losing £20 per week after the Government chose not to extend the uplift.
“With Rishi Sunak admitting that inflation will average at least 4% next year and with National Insurance and other tax increases on the horizon, any perceived benefits from the rise in the National Living Wage and the removal of the pay freeze for public sector workers will be eaten up.
“As energy prices continue to rocket, many people on the lowest incomes, including MHA residents and the wider communities we serve, are likely to be in an even worse financial position as a result of the Chancellor’s failure to properly protect them.”