BASW UK secures campaign win on benefit uprating with inflation

The UK Government has confirmed that it will uprate benefits in line with inflation in response to campaigning by BASW UK and other anti-poverty organisations who have been pushing for this commitment.

BASW UK is part of several coalitions of organisations campaigning against poverty, and has been supporting the campaign urging the UK Government to uprate benefits in line with inflation.

There has been some worry over the past few months that the Government may renege on its commitment due to the high levels of inflation meaning that uprating with inflation would be very expensive. This would have resulted in the biggest real term cut in benefits in a single year, leaving people in most need even less likely to afford basic necessities with the cost of living continuing to rise.

BASW UK wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to continue with uprating, and stressed the importance of tackling poverty.

In the letter, BASW UK Chief Executive Dr Ruth Allen wrote:

"We face many economic and social challenges. The heaviest burden of this cannot fall on the most impoverished. We are asking that you do all in your power to ensure this doesn’t happen. Government can protect individuals and families from deepening poverty that leads to insecure and unsuitable housing, poor access to food, stress, conflict and underachievement of children in school. Government can protect people with disabilities, mental health and related problems which may make it difficult or impossible for them to be part of the workforce."

Whilst this announcement is welcome, more still needs to be done. Food prices are rising at their fastest rate in 45 years and energy bills continue to soar. Those on the lowest incomes are at the sharp edge of this cost-of-living crisis. 

BASW will continue to lobby the UK Government to introduce more targeted support for those most in need and deliver policies that alleviate poverty, not deepen it.