YMCA response to Chancellor’s Autumn Budget Statement 2023

Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget announcement earlier today, Denise Hatton, Chief Executive of YMCA England & Wales, said:

“YMCA welcomes a number of measures outlined in today’s Autumn Statement announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

“We are encouraged by the fact that the Chancellor has heeded the call of the sector to lift the freeze on the Local Housing Allowance, restoring it to the 30^th percentile. This crucial move will help alleviate some of the strain on those hardest hit by the persistent supply and demand pressures within the private rental sector.

“Additionally, we also welcome the Government’s commitment of £120 million to help prevent homelessness and the Homelessness Prevention Grant. However, this should be a catalyst for more significant actions. A collective effort from national and local governments is imperative to boost the supply of social and affordable housing, providing safe and stable living for young people and families in their communities.

“While the Government’s decision to adjust welfare benefits by 6.7% (in line with September’s inflation rate) is valuable for many and welcomed, we do have concerns around the potential threat of harsher sanctions. YMCA research shows that the way to getting young people into work lies in the need for more support to improve mental health, reduce NHS waiting lists, and create inclusive policies for young people to enter the workplace confidently in order to sustain employment, not through a tougher sanction regime.

“Positive strides are also seen in the National Living Wage increase and the age threshold reduction to 21. However, challenges persist for those under 21 facing financial hardship. They remain excluded from the full rate of the National Living Wage, hindering their ability to maintain a reasonable standard of living, especially amidst the ongoing cost of living crisis affecting numerous young, low-paid workers.