Hunt Announces Energy, Childcare Changes; Housing Crisis Unaddressed
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has announced significant changes to energy and childcare policies, while concerns persist about the housing crisis and economic struggles faced by low-income families.
Hunt's fiscal statement, delivered this week, includes a scrapping of the 'pre-payment premium' for energy customers using prepayment meters from July. This move aims to make energy more affordable for those who struggle to budget.
The energy price guarantee will remain at £2,500 until July 2023, saving the average family around £160. This extension ensures continued support for households during the colder months.
Despite forecasts of a drop in housebuilding and increasing rent and mortgage pressures, the government has yet to address the housing crisis. Experts and opposition alike await concrete plans to tackle this pressing issue.
In a positive step for families, the government plans to extend funded childcare to children as young as nine months from September 2025. This expansion aims to support families with the cost of childcare and encourage more women into work.
Rachelle Earwaker, Senior Economist at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, has warned that the economic crisis is far from over for families on low incomes. Despite Hunt's statement, no specific organisation has called for a long-term plan to address the economic crisis and the housing crisis.
Chancellor Hunt's fiscal statement brings relief to energy customers and families. However, the housing crisis and economic struggles faced by low-income families remain pressing concerns that require urgent attention and long-term solutions.
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