Nicola P

MY RESPONSE TO THE BUDGET

It’s incredibly frustrating and disheartening to see such critical work go unacknowledged, especially when so many organisations like Changing Realities, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, and others have invested so much in creating viable solutions to address poverty and food insecurity. The struggles that low-income families face today are incredibly challenging, and policies that only target specific groups or are too focused on short-term fixes can easily overlook many people who are in urgent need.

The proposal to reduce Universal Credit debt repayments is a step in one direction, but it barely scratches the surface. Many families are still struggling with basic necessities even without debt on their Universal Credit accounts. There seems to be a gap in understanding that poverty is a multi-faceted issue, impacting essentials from food and rent to hygiene and dignity. Policies aimed at poverty reduction need to consider all aspects of a person’s life and put measures in place that can help lift people out of poverty rather than just making incremental, temporary adjustments.

It’s incredibly frustrating when government responses don’t match the scale or urgency of these problems, and it’s valid to feel disappointed when it feels like all the advocacy and research is dismissed. Supporting families with the essentials they need to live and thrive should be a priority for any government, regardless of its political affiliation. Hopefully, continued advocacy will keep pushing these issues to the forefront!