Success in Autumn Statement for benefits rates

In the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, it was confirmed benefits rates would rise in line with the September 6.7% inflation figure.

This is a success for Citizens Advice as the charity has campaigned on this issue. Not raising benefits rates in line with inflation would have represented a real-terms cut for claimants.

Locally, we have written to South Gloucestershire’s three MPs to encourage them to raise the issue with Jeremy Hunt MP.

National Citizens Advice has said: “Every day we see people unable to afford the basics and so today’s announcement goes some way to offer people reassurance from the Government that things will not get worse for them.

“This being said, we are awaiting news about the benefit cap. If this is not uprated (and even if it is), it will reduce some of the gains some households will otherwise make from benefits (including Local Housing Allowance) being uprated.”