As Rachel Reeves delivers her spring statement three readers from the most vulnerable groups in society give their stance on welfare cuts
The Chancellor’s Spring Statement today contains eye-watering benefit cuts that could push over 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – into relative poverty by the end of the decade according to the Department for Work and Pensions own analysis.
The DWP study also shows around 3.2million families could be hit by the reforms by 2030 – an average loss of £1,720 per year. These are record cuts to disabled people’s social security made under a Labour government. This is now an extremely worrying situation for millions of disabled people, people with mental health problems and others unable to work or find work.
Working with the Changing Realities project, the Mirror spoke to three worried parents – Jonny Roberts, Jo Barker-Marsh and Tayyaba Siddiqui – about how the changes could affect their families.
Jo Barker-Marsh, North West England, single parent to child with additional needs
“The thing that struck the most was that working people were mentioned 17 times, and vulnerable people, just once. If that doesn’t give you an idea of the government’s priorities, I don’t know what will. Rachel Reeves says that she is on the side of working people, that this government want prosperity for working people, but what about those of us who are unable to work, for whatever reason?
“Where are we in this positive growth? I spend any money I have locally, I work hard, often voluntarily, to help address societal disparity. I have worked hard for my own child and others who face challenges that are not even worth a mention in this spring statement, and when Rachel Reeves said the British public are watching, we are, and I have never felt so invisible in my life.
“I am certain that there are many people who will welcome the increase to Universal Credit, but for people like myself and ultimately my son, this was not a statement which carried hope that we matter, that we are in this together. Cutting support to people with elevated need is a dreadful move.
“I wish that Rachel Reeves and this government worked with the same level of passion for everyone, but sadly, I don’t believe they do. Pie in the sky politics and crumbs for the rest of us.”
Jonny Roberts, south east of England, single parent to two children
“The Chancellor has a reputation for economic stability but the overarching and depressing feeling I’m left with today is that when the circumstances change, it is reassuring the financial markets that is the priority. If some of the most vulnerable have to pay the price so be it.
Only one week ago we were told that, to offset some of the health-related welfare cuts, Universal Credit’s standard allowance would rise in cash terms by £775 a year by 2029-30, today this is downgraded by £47 to £728. It doesn’t inspire confidence that if any further changes to economic forecasts turn bleak that Universal Credit claimants will be hit again.
Vague claims about improvements in growth down the line make me think of the famous focus group respondent during the Brexit referendum: “Growth for who?”. The ‘efficiency’ savings being asked of government departments are already inspiring scary ‘leaks’ about cuts to free school meals. Growth has to have a purpose surely and any government revenue gains should focus on reducing the plight of poverty.”
Tayyaba Siddiqui, single parent working for the NHS in London
“I am scared and anxious after listening to the Chancellor speech. I Feel you are not the right people to decide the future of this country . I am relieved that my teenage boy is at school as I don’t want him to see me like this. She targeted the wrong people . The Chancellor talked about the government putting working people first. I am still working till the end of this month for the NHS. But has the government taken the time to talk to working people, especially in the NHS, about how they are managing? About what support they get to stay in work?
“Single parents like me are not supported to stay at work. And it looks like the NHS will not get the help it needs. Yes waiting list are starting to fall, but low-paid essential healthcare staff like me are are struggling and falling into poverty. And this will trigger new people joining waiting lists as their mental health inevitably declines.
“How will people who are not able to work due to mental and physical health problems and disability manage when the cuts to benefits come into force? Is the government even aware that 33% of single parents are disabled?
“The additional money promised to job centres to support people going into work will not help without real efforts to make sure that Department for Work and Pensions staff begin to treat people with dignity and respect.
“I feel sad after listening to today’s speech. My family is already in survival mode. But now we move into desperation mode, and I feel hopeless and powerless. The social security system does not have to be broken – it is made that way by those in government. Now me, and many like me, especially single parents are stuck in a cycle of pain and of fear. And I feel speechless that the Chancellor would stand up and deliver all that pain with a smile on her face.”
These parents all take part in Changing Realities, a collaboration between parents on a low-income, researchers at the University of York and Child Poverty Action Group.