Jabeer Butt, Chief Executive, Race Equality Foundation said:
“Ahead of the autumn statement later this week, we’re gravely concerned that the government plans to fund possible tax cuts through drastic reductions in social security spending. In this time of rising prices and economic uncertainty, cutting support for the most vulnerable in our society risks pushing even more people into poverty and hardship.
Tax cuts to help boost growth must not come at the expense of vital welfare support. Any cuts to housing benefits, disability payments, or support for low-income families will be nothing short of devastating for those already struggling to make ends meet. Government must recognise the urgent need to invest funds in public services. The NHS and local authorities are extremely challenged with service pressures in health, social care, education, and housing. Failure to invest in our key services will worsen an already dire situation faced by many vulnerable people and communities.
People already under financial pressure should not be forced to bear the brunt of further austerity. There is still time for the government to deliver a fair budget that helps build the economy without abandoning those most in need. We urge the government to reconsider plans for cuts to social security – the impact on vulnerable people and families would be unthinkable.”
Open letter to the chancellor on vital funding for public services
Race Equality Foundation has also joined with others and delivered an open letter to the chancellor on vital funding for public services.
We’ve joined with NCVO and more than 1400 other organisations in writing to the chancellor calling for immediate long-term funding for public bodies, so that charities can continue providing the services that communities across the country desperately need.
Charities are facing a Cost of Giving Crisis this winter, with many facing difficult decisions so they can continue operating.
One key challenge for charities delivering public services is underfunding, with many contracts costing more to deliver than their funding pays for. This challenge affects organisations of all sizes, and we need the chancellor to urgently address this.
Read the open letter here.
