As a country, we face an incredibly difficult economic situation. The £400 billion economic response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, as well as the increase in inflation and energy bills as a direct result of the terrible war in Ukraine, has placed an unprecedented strain on the public purse. With national debt at such a high level, it is right that the Government takes action to reduce this and balance the books in order to drive down inflation which will go further to help people with the cost of living.
Yet despite the challenging economic circumstances, the Chancellor’s Autumn statement restores our economic stability and, crucially, it also prioritises support for the most vulnerable, protects key public services through investment in schools and our NHS, and creates a fair plan to help people and businesses in Harlow get through the tough times ahead.
So what does this mean in practice for Harlow? First, £12 billion of extra, targeted support is being provided next year to help 8 million vulnerable households with the cost of living, on top of the payments which are already being provided this year. This means additional payments of £900 for every Harlow resident on means-tested benefits, £300 extra for Harlow pensioners, and an extra £150 for disabled people. The announcement to extend the Energy Price Guarantee means every Harlow household will receive at least £500 of support. Moreover, the National Living Wage will also increase to £10.42 per hour which equals a £1,600 pay rise for every Harlow resident in full-time work.
Second, the Government is also delivering on its commitment to uprate benefits in line with inflation, protect the Pensions Triple Lock and raise pensions in line with inflation too. This will mean every pensioner will receive an £870 increase in April.
Third, the Chancellor also announced that there will be a 7% cap on social housing rents which will mean every Harlow resident living in these circumstances will save a further £200.
Fourth - protecting public services. An extra £11 billion has been announced for the NHS and education over the next two years. Schools in Harlow will receive their share of the additional £2.3 billion of new funding this year, and next year. This comes on top of the £3.8 billion investment in skills over this Parliament, the £2.6 billion allocated for Pupil Premium and the additional £5 billion of Catch-Up funding. Public spending for the next two years will be protected at the levels set out in 2021 and will then increase further every year. This will mean our streets will be safer with more officers on the beat.
Whilst these are difficult times, residents will know that I have long campaigned for the Government to support the most vulnerable, cut the cost of living, boost skills and control migration. This Autumn Statement provides a number of welcome measures which will support all of Harlow’s residents over the coming months. Please be assured I will continue to work hard for Harlow and the villages to ensure we build a stronger and better Harlow.
