Our Spring Budget response

Today, the Chancellor, Rt Hon Jeremy Hunt MP, announced the Government’s plans for the upcoming months as part of the Spring Budget.

Responding to the statement, Kate Dearden, Head of Research, Policy and External Relations at Community, said:

“In his budget today, the Chancellor failed to match the scale of the cost-of-living crisis our members and working people across the UK are facing, as they head for the biggest two-year fall in disposable income since records began.

“While the budget included a long overdue announcement on the expansion of childcare, we are concerned the funding behind it falls short of what’s needed to actually deliver a real difference to people’s lives. The truth is that childcare cannot be fixed without addressing the issue of low pay that is at the heart of the recruitment and retention crisis.

“There were also no plans to develop a desperately needed industrial strategy and support crucial industries like steel to reach Net-Zero targets. 

“We were pleased the Government has responded to our demands and campaigners across our movement to extend the energy price guarantee to protect households. However, the poorest households will still need additional targeted support to help with their rising bills.

“After 13 years of Conservative governments our public services are at breaking point and our members are seeing their living standards continuously decline. Our members will take no comfort from today’s announcement and urgently need a government on their side.”

Notes

• Community’s budget submission can be found here.
• In its March 2023 report, “Economic and fiscal outlook”, the Office for Budget Responsibility says households are heading for the biggest two-year fall in disposable income since records began: https://obr.uk/docs/dlm_uploads/OBR-EFO-March-2023_Web_Accessible.pdf

If you are a member of Community and need advice or support, please contact our Service Centre at help@community-tu.org or on 0800 389 6332.