SVP: Queen's Speech does not tackle cost of living crisis

Food poverty is on the rise in 2022. Image: SVP

The government's legislative agenda for the next parliamentary year contained in the Queen's Speech does not tackle the cost of living crisis and threatens to pull hundreds of thousands more households into poverty, says the St Vincent de Paul Society (SVP).

The government has been vocal in claiming it is tackling the cost of living crisis, however families across England and Wales facing rapidly rising food and fuel costs will find little comfort in the Queen's Speech.

The government raised the National Living Wage by 6.6% to £9.50 from April 2022, however implementing the higher £9.90 Real Living Wage would have gone further to appease anxiety for millions of people who have seen spiralling inflation outstrip wage and benefits rises.

The long-awaited Employment Bill, promised by the government on at least 20 occasions and aimed at strengthening workers' rights, was notably absent. The SVP has campaigned for improved security and flexibility for low-paid workers, and making the Employment Bill a priority in the next parliamentary term would have contributed to job and income security for hard pressed families and individuals.

The government's measures to tackle spiralling energy costs for households simply do not go far enough to offset the over 50% rise in bills for millions of families, many of whom are having to make the decision to heat their homes or put food on the table. This is plainly unacceptable in one of the world's leading economies.

However, the SVP welcomes the inclusion of the Renters Reform Bill and Social Housing Regulation Bill, both of which should reinforce renters' rights in a market which has moved the option of a house purchase out of the reach of millions.

SVP National President Helen O'Shea says: "Every day our members working in communities and our staff in our St Vincent's centres and shops across England and Wales see the effects of the cost of living crisis on families and individuals. We see the agonising dilemma of heat versus food, and we witness the effect this has on families, children and vulnerable people.

"Food banks are carrying out heroic work to support struggling people. Through their compassion and kindness, our members are working tirelessly to help those facing poverty in all its various guises, but it is only through legislation built on equality, fairness and inclusion which will provide long-term solutions to the current squeeze on household incomes."

She continues: "Until the government addresses the reality of the cost of living crisis for millions struggling to cope financially and mentally, the number of people falling into the vicious circle of poverty will continue to rise."

LINK

St Vincent de Paul Society: www.svp.org.uk