A missed opportunity to ‘Build Back Better’ Our response to the Spring Budget 2021
Women’s Budget Group response to Spring Budget 2021.
Press Release
A response to Rishi Sunak's Economic Statement by WBG Director, Mary-Ann Stephenson
Speaking in response to Rishi Sunak’s economic statement today, WBG Director, Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson said:
“We welcome the decision to cut employer contributions in the new job support scheme from 33% to 5%. The scheme announced in September was poorly designed and was unlikely to have protected many jobs.
It is clear that we are in a second wave and facing increasingly severe local lockdowns. Many workers in hospitality in tier three areas will struggle to survive on two thirds of their previous wages since many were already low paid. And local lockdowns don’t just impact on sectors like hospitality that are ordered to close, they have a knock on impact in other sectors that can legally remain open but struggle with lack of custom.
Unfortunately the Chancellor did nothing for those who will lose their jobs, or have already been made redundant. The Government needs to commit to maintain the uplift in Universal Credit and extend it to legacy benefits. It should increase child benefit and the level of local housing allowance to cover average rents.
PRESS CONTACT
UK Women’s Budget Group
Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson: Director, maryann.stephenson@wbg.org.uk, 07957 338582
Thaira Mhearban: Communications Officer, thaira.mhearban@wbg.org.uk, 077366 58951
Women’s Budget Group response to Spring Budget 2021.
A pre budget briefing from the UK Women’s Budget Group – October 2021
Ahead of the Spring 2021 Budget, the following pre-budget briefings set out the gender impact of coronavirus on different groups of women and policies
A pre Budget briefing from the UK Women’s Budget Group – October 2021