| Responding to the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Fiscal Statement today, Carers Trust CEO Kirsty McHugh said: “Millions of unpaid carers are being plunged into poverty, or facing extreme financial pressure, because of the extra costs of their caring role. Despite the critical role unpaid carers play in propping up a creaking health and social care system by caring for family members and friends, yet again they have been let down by the UK Government. “The Energy Bill Relief Scheme will only be short-term support for the independent local carers charities in the Carers Trust Network who desperately need a decrease in energy bills, so that they can spend their funds to support unpaid carers in their communities. “The cancelling of the Health and Social Care Levy is yet another blow – even though it was unclear when social care, and unpaid carers, would benefit from that Levy. There remains a gaping hole in the social care investment needed, leaving unpaid carers without the support they desperately need, like breaks. “Where is the leadership on the issues facing unpaid carers?”The announcements from the UK Government this week show there is still no real strategy that will support the NHS and social care, and unpaid carers and the services that help them.” |
Fran Boait, executive director of research and campaign group Positive Money, commented:
“This should have been a cost of living budget, but instead it’s a bankers’ budget. At a time when ordinary families are choosing between heating and eating, the Chancellor has chosen to focus on giveaways for the City of London and landlords. This should come as no surprise given the financial lobby spent over £17 million on influencing politics in 2020 and 2021, and that 20% of Conservative Party donations come from property tycoons.
“Further inflating housing bubbles and relying on growth trickling down from the City of London will not lead to greater prosperity for most people, as we’ve seen time and time again.
“Rather than handouts for the richest, a much better use of borrowing would be public investment, especially in renewable energy and retrofits, which would help bring down bills and guarantee energy security.”
Liz Truss’ budget means that those earning a million a year will have £54,400 extra in their pockets after tax and NICs. For those earning £25,000, the equivalent figure is about £280.
— Jo Maugham (@JolyonMaugham) September 23, 2022
Hard to imagine a worse response to a cost of living crisis.
The reality:
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