PRESS RELEASE issued 31.10.2021

Budget leaves many in Chesterfield worse off

The Liberal Democrats have said the Chancellor is "living on another planet" after he claimed in interviews that changes to the Universal Credit taper amount to cutting taxes. Even the Institute for Fiscal Studies says the gap between the "generosity of the furlough scheme and the meanness of our out of work benefit system could hardly be more stark."

At the start of 2020 there were 5,100 people in Chesterfield on Universal Credit of whom 1,700 were in employment. By the end of August this year the number on Universal Credit had risen to 9,500 of whom 3,900 are in employment.

"The increase in people dependent on means tested benefit should be sending alarm bells ringing across government. But apparently not as the Chancellor appears oblivious to their needs " writes Cllr Maggie Kellman. "This mean-spirited budget following hard on the recent £20 a week reduction in Universal Credit, will leave thousands in Chesterfield in dire financial straits as we head into the winter months facing soaring price increases in fuel costs. The budget does little to help those in work and nothing for those unable to work"

Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson Christine Jardine MP said "This Chancellor is living on another planet if he thinks the British people are going to believe this spin. This underlines how completely out of touch he is, if he thinks we are going to buy this nonsense, especially given the average household faces a £3000 tax rise thanks to this Conservative government"

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Analysis from Resolution Foundation saying people will see £3000 tax hike by 2027 compared to when Boris Johnson took office