What we want to see in Chancellor’s Autumn Statement

2 mins read

Monday 31 October 2022

Tags: campaigns, budget, cost of living, out of energy, autumn statement, extra costs, social care funding

Last week, the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced that his Autumn Statement, originally scheduled for today, will now take place on 17 November.

Following his reversal of much of predecessor’s Kwasi Kwarteng’s economic policies, and with new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in place, Hunt says the delay will allow him to set out new plans based on the “most accurate” economic forecasts.

With over two weeks more to finalise his economic priorities, we ask the Chancellor to do more to support families with disabled children facing extra energy costs.

Families with disabled children face costs other households don’t

We know from our Out of Energy campaign that families with disabled children pay more on average for their energy.

Many families run disability aids and equipment, such as adjustable beds, ceiling track hoists, wheelchair chargers, feeding and suction pumps. Life-saving equipment, such as oxygen concentrators, simply can’t be turned off.

Some children require round-the-clock heating, while other households need to do more washing and bathing as a result of issues like incontinence.

What we want to see in the Autumn Statement

We welcomed the government’s cost of living support package announced in May. But families with disabled children need more targetted support.

We want to see:

  • The Carer’s Allowance earnings limit to rise to the value of 21 hours work a week at the National Living Wage rate (i.e. £199.50).
  • An immediate uprating of benefits in line with current inflation rates.
  • An energy assistance payment for families of seriously ill and disabled children unable to access medical grants from the NHS.
  • The Chancellor to double the £150 disability payment and commit to paying it next year as well.
  • No cuts to spending on vital disability services in health, education and social care, where there is already a huge funding gap.

We also want to see the government work with energy companies to introduce social tariffs for disabled households.

Join our Out of Energy campaign

Together, we can call on government to make sure families with disabled children are getting the support they need.

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