Families up and down the country face the reality of the worst real-terms incomes squeeze in 50 years. But support to families in yesterday’s spring budget was woefully inadequate, with too little for the people struggling to afford life’s essentials and too much for those who didn’t need it.
There were many things Rishi Sunak could have done to take the pressure off families, like bolstering social security to support families at the sharp end of this crisis, a windfall tax on energy producers’ excess profits to soften the rise in energy prices, and investment in housing retrofit to improve energy security for all. But the chancellor failed to do any of that. He is about to learn that you can’t tax cut your way out of a cost-of-living crisis, and millions of people will pay the price.
Spring budget: five asks for Rishi Sunak With millions struggling to afford life’s essentials, Alfie Stirling sets out how the chancellor could make a real difference.
New Economics Podcast: Are fossil fuels funding the war in Ukraine? What do oil and gas have to do with the war in Ukraine? Will banning Russian fossil fuels really make Putin reconsider? And what does all this mean for soaring energy bills in the UK? Ayeisha Thomas-Smith is joined by Ukrainian climate activist Svitlana Romanko and Uplift director Tessa Khan.
New Economics Podcast: Tackling the cost of living crisis When the media talk about the‘cost of living crisis’, what do they mean? How did we end up in a country with more food banks than branches of McDonalds? And what can the government do to make sure everyone can afford life’s essentials? Ayeisha is joined by NEF’s Alfie Stirling and Sabine Goodwin, coordinator of the Independent Food Aid Network.
Reshaping finance: A road map for net zero and levelling up How can we reshape finance to support a green transition and the government’s levelling up agenda? Watch our online event with Joseph Stiglitz, Miatta Fahnbulleh, Kevin Hollinrake, Rushanara Ali and Eric Lonergan and Frank van Lerven.
Help us win safe, affordable housing NEF believes that through building homes for genuinely affordable rent – instead of prioritising homes to buy – we can end the housing crisis. To help us campaign, we want to hear what the housing crisis looks like to you – and what you want in future. Fill in the survey.
Cost of living: what you need to know Miatta Fahnbulleh appears on ITV Tonight – there’s still time catch this on Thurs 24 March at 8.30pm GMT.
Priority is to cut taxes, says Rishi Sunak before spring statement Analysis by Alex Chapman showing that just 7% of the benefit of cutting fuel duty would go to the poorest fifth of households was covered in a Guardian article and editorial, and in the Financial Times.
Spring Budget: We need to upgrade Britain’s leaky homes to insulate against the energy crisis Aydin Dikerdem wrote for the Big Issue calling for the chancellor to invest £11.7bn to make homes warmer and greener.
Energy bills crisis Miatta was on Good Morning Britain discussing the soaring energy bills in the UK and how government should intervene.
Inclusive Britain, refugees and Russian sanctions Miatta was on Politics Live twice, to respond to the government’s Inclusive Britain report and the need for safe and legal routes for refugees.
Campaigners triumphant as Leeds Bradford Airport expansion plans are halted A report by Alex Chapman on the economic case for the Leeds Bradford airport expansion was covered in Yorkshire Bylines.
We’re hiring! NEF is looking for a talented senior researcher to lead our work on housing. Deadline 30 March – apply here.
