The wounds of the mini-budget still run deep

Two years ago this week, Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng delivered an attack on the British economy that household finances are still recovering from. The Truss Administration promised sweeping economic reforms, the likes of which Britain had never seen before. Tax cuts and price freezes were the pledges, a run on sterling, a diminished international reputation, and sorting household bills was the reality.

As with the rest of the country, many families here in Stratford-on-Avon are still feeling the impact of the Truss’s mini-budget. According to data from the House of Commons Library from earlier this year, households in our area have faced around £250 per month in additional mortgage payments. Families are pushed to the brink, they have been saddled with years of increasingly unaffordable monthly payments and the very real threat of losing their homes.

My own monthly mortgage payments rose by £320 after the mini-budget, it has meant changes to my family’s shopping habits. While the rise is no small increase for us, I know my family is in a fortunate position. There are many in Stratford-on-Avon who are not so fortunate, and the new Labour Government has decided to place the burden of economic recovery on those most vulnerable in our society. The cruel cut to the Winter Fuel Allowance and the heartless decision to continue to back the two-child benefit cap are prime examples of this, both I was proud to oppose the government on.

This winter is going to be another difficult one for the poorest in our society. The Labour Government is leaving many to fend for themselves, but I know our community is better than that. If you are able to donate your time or your money over the next few months, there are plenty of organisations in our area that would appreciate the support, I have listed a few below. If you are not able to help out one of these organisations, then what we can all do is make sure to check in on our friends, family and neighbours, particularly as the nights get darker and the days get colder.

As always, if you need any support from me, please do get in touch with my team at manuela.perteghella.mp@parliament.uk

Organisations:

Your nearest foodbank can be found here: https://www.trussell.org.uk/food-donation?lat=52.1579957&lng=-1.6847231&address=CV37%206QY

Age UK https://www.ageuk.org.uk/coventryandwarwickshire/get-involved/volunteer/

Fred Winters Centre https://fredwintercentre.org.uk/

Act on Energy https://www.actonenergy.org.uk/area/warwickshire