Little Progress Made to Alleviate Impact of Welfare Cuts in Autumn Statement, More Pain in Store For Many
Advice NI, the independent advice network, today cautiously welcomed some elements of the chancellor’s Autumn Statement, but highlighted its continued worries about cuts to Universal Credit, the impact of the 4 year freeze to most Working Age benefits and planned further cuts to Sickness benefits.
Speaking as the Chancellor announced a partial U-turn in previous policy by reducing the rate at which Universal Credit would be withdrawn from people when they start work, Advice NI said that this measure would at least begin to fulfil Theresa May’s pledge to support families who are “just about managing”. However they said it does not go far enough and the Chancellor has retained the current punitive earnings threshold, the point at which withdrawal would start.
Kevin Higgins, Head of Policy with Advice NI said that his organisation still had major concerns as to how pre announced cuts in previous Budgets would continue to have a massive impact on the vulnerable across Northern Ireland.
“It’s fair to say that the Prime Minister and Philip Hammond have been heavily lobbied by Conservative backbenchers, to row back on £3bn worth of cuts to in-work benefits, and this is to be welcomed. We also welcome today’s announcement regarding the increase in the National Living Wage to £7.50 for over-25s from next year and confirmation that there will be no further new welfare savings measures in this parliament. However, Advice NI, which deals with hundreds of thousands of enquiries per year across Northern Ireland, continues to worry about the impact of the remaining cuts that are in the pipeline on families and vulnerable people. While the Prime Minister has acted in relation to those impacted by some of the Universal Credit changes, there are still many areas which many would have hoped to see improved. For example higher inflation and the benefit freeze will mean a real term cut in income for many working age households in receipt of social security benefits.”
Last year, Advice NI dealt with over 260,000 enquires, the majority of which are social security related, with housing and debt enquiries also to the fore. Advice NI recently helped launch the independent welfare changes Helpline along with other partners, to offer help and advice to people impacted by changes to the welfare budget.
Anyone struggling to cope or worried about the impact of changes to their benefits should contact the independent welfare changes Helpline (0808 802 0020) for free, independent, confidential advice and support.
ENDS
For further information contact Barry Turley on 07734 256318
Kevin Higgins, Head of Policy with Advice NI said that his organisation still had major concerns as to how pre announced cuts in previous Budgets would continue to have a massive impact on the vulnerable across Northern Ireland.
“It’s fair to say that the Prime Minister and Philip Hammond have been heavily lobbied by Conservative backbenchers, to row back on £3bn worth of cuts to in-work benefits, and this is to be welcomed. We also welcome today’s announcement regarding the increase in the National Living Wage to £7.50 for over-25s from next year and confirmation that there will be no further new welfare savings measures in this parliament. However, Advice NI, which deals with hundreds of thousands of enquiries per year across Northern Ireland, continues to worry about the impact of the remaining cuts that are in the pipeline on families and vulnerable people. While the Prime Minister has acted in relation to those impacted by some of the Universal Credit changes, there are still many areas which many would have hoped to see improved. For example higher inflation and the benefit freeze will mean a real term cut in income for many working age households in receipt of social security benefits.”
Last year, Advice NI dealt with over 260,000 enquires, the majority of which are social security related, with housing and debt enquiries also to the fore. Advice NI recently helped launch the independent welfare changes Helpline along with other partners, to offer help and advice to people impacted by changes to the welfare budget.
Anyone struggling to cope or worried about the impact of changes to their benefits should contact the independent welfare changes Helpline (0808 802 0020) for free, independent, confidential advice and support.
ENDS
For further information contact Barry Turley on 07734 256318