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Our Response to Labour’s Autumn Budget

Our Response to Labour’s Autumn Budget

Our Response to Labour’s Autumn Budget

Thursday, October 31, 2024

“It is good to see that today’s budget recognises the housing and homelessness crisis happening across the country, but more can and should be done.”

“We face a real crisis of homelessness and housing need in this country. We are seeing records levels of homelessness, and many more people and families are living on the brink of homelessness due to the on-going cost-of-living crisis.

It was good therefore to see the Chancellor today recognise this crisis, by pledging £230 million for councils to tackle homelessness and rough sleeping, as well as acknowledging the need for more social housing with a commitment to an additional £500m towards providing this. We also welcome choices to tackle the cost-of-living crisis, such as:

– the £1 billion pledged from next year towards the household support fund and discretionary housing payments, which will help those experiencing facing the looming threat of homelessness

– the new Fair Repayment Rate, which will help to reduce the level of deductions from Universal Credit which are a real driver of hardship and further debt for people who are already at risk of homelessness

– the increase in the national minimum wage, which will help to address the cost-of-living crisis for many people.

However, it was very disappointing to no mention of the Local Housing Allowance rate. The Chancellor must unfreeze LHA and re-link it to actual rents charged to tenants, to prevent homelessness and help homeless people be rehoused.

There was also a failure to mention the over £1bn of funding for vital homelessness services that is due to come to an end in March. There is still no certainty yet what will happen. It is vital that Ministers can confirm as soon as possible that this will continue, because without clear and stable funding, homelessness services will not be able to recruit and retain the skilled staff they need. This will lead to thousands of people being left without support to prevent or resolve their homelessness.” Duncan Shrubsole, CEO, St Martin-in-the-Fields Charity

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