Christian organisations have responded to Rachel Reeves’ new budget, announced in Parliament this afternoon.
It was partially overshadowed by controversy, after a technical error by the Office for Budget Responsibility resulted in details being released around half an hour early.
Aimed at addressing slowing economic growth, the revised budget includes measures such as freezing tax thresholds, introducing taxes on homes valued over £2 million, electric vehicles and pensions, and raising the minimum wage. The budget also removes the two-child cap for Universal Credit benefit recipients.
Reeves remained confident about the new regulations, acknowledging that they would require “ordinary people to pay a little bit more”.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the budget, describing it as a “total humiliation”. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey echoed concerns, stating, “You can’t tax your way to growth.”
Christian financial planner Chinedu Mbakwe told Premier Christian News: “As Christians, we need to be wise in how we steward our finances. The first step would be to review your spending [in order to] free up some margin.”
Christians Against Poverty (CAP) released a statement welcoming the removal of the two-child cap and other measures, but warned that “children may still face poverty.” The charity also welcomed changes to the minimum and living wage, rail fare caps, assistance to employment, and prescription costs.
CAP Chief Executive Stewart McCulloch said: “Poverty steals potential and almost half of our clients simply don’t have enough income to even pay for their food, heating and other basic needs.” He added, “there are still significant gaps” in government welfare changes.
Sarah Edwards, executive editor of JustMoney Movement, expressed disappointment to Premier regarding the “substance” of the budget, calling the changes “half-measures”. She also highlighted the “conspicuous” lack of reference to climate change, and urged the Chancellor to “make bold choices to tax wealth more, and more fairly… to… reflect our shared responsibility for one another and the planet.”