Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford urge for benefits to be increased ahead of the autumn statement.

Johnathon Yates, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford said:

“Citizens Advice Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford continues to see relentless demand for its services as the cost-of-living crisis shows no sign of abating.”

“We’re helping people in work, families and pensioners. Millions of people are in a negative budget - doing their best to balance the books but without enough to cover their essential costs each month. “

“The government must not overlook those on low incomes. Failing to increase benefits in line with inflation and keeping Local Housing Allowance frozen means the situation for millions will only get worse.”

Key national figures from Citizens Advice

  • Freezing benefits in 2023/24 would lead to a real-terms cut in the Universal Credit standard allowance of £25.55 per month for individuals or £40.11 for couples. 

  • The effect on families would be much much greater. Eg. A couple with two children would experience a real terms cut of £77.47 per month while a single parent with two children would see a loss of £62.9 per month.

  • People coming to Citizens Advice for help with debt with benefits income currently have an average shortfall of £30.50 each month. But if benefits are frozen this will increase to £80 every month.

  • If benefits had regularly been uprated in line with inflation since 2015, Universal Credit standard allowance for individuals would be £24 higher each month than it is today. This gap will rise to more than £50 per month if benefits are frozen again.

For information and advice, contact Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford on kara.mello-baron@casort.org

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