𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗶𝘁

Wednesday’s Budget offers welcome help with energy bills and a commitment to further social housing investment. These measures respond to some of the concerns raised in our pre-Budget statement. Short-term relief must, however, be matched by sustained action to tackle poverty and ensure that everyone can afford essential costs and a warm, secure home. This Budget risks tinkering at the edges rather than making the long-term, sustainable commitments needed to support those most in need.

The ultimate test of this Budget will be whether support reaches those in greatest need, including households with higher unavoidable heating costs, and whether devolved governments have the resources required to sustain vital services. Adequate welfare support, practical routes into employment, care for those who need it and predictable funding for community organisations must remain priorities.

We continue to urge the UK Government to reverse the planned reduction in international aid and work towards restoring the 0.7% commitment, provide adequately funded safe and legal routes for refugees, including resettlement and family reunion, and support the communities that welcome them. Predictable international climate finance is also essential, alongside protection for low-income households in the transition to cleaner energy. Human dignity and the common good must guide the Government’s choices: the lasting measure of this Budget will be the difference it makes to the lives of those facing the greatest hardship, at home and overseas.

𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗻𝘆 𝗛𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗻, 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿
Catholic Parliamentary Office for Scotland