Our Chief Executive, Tony Armstrong, has responded to the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt’s, Autumn Statement on 11 November:
“The Chancellor’s Autumn Statement was designed, he said, to ‘tackle the cost of living crisis’. But for community organisations on the front line, there is little here to change the reality on the ground right now.
“Charities and local groups have been working tirelessly to support their communities with food banks, warm spaces and money advice – all while their own costs continue to skyrocket.
“Uprating
benefits in line with inflation and continuing the emergency Household Support
Fund will provide important help for those who need it most. But to ensure
people can continue to access vital local support, the government should extend
energy bill relief for community organisations after April, and prioritise them
in the welcome drive for energy efficiency. We need our front line local
organisations now more than ever, not just to get people through this crisis,
but also to build a hopeful future for our communities.”