Problems of families on low incomes.
The chancellor addressed a lot of issues facing the country. Many observers thought the problems of poor families facing benefit cuts wasn’t among them.
At Citizens Advice Reigate & Banstead many people who ask for advice are in this group. Low income is often linked to the most common problems – benefits uncertainty, debt. housing insecurity.
A respected housing report released on Budget day underscores the point.
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors residential survey reported that rising rents and benefit cuts are “pushing vulnerable tenants out (the) private housing market”.
In some areas of London and the South-East there are reports that the cost of renting has fallen a little. More properties have become available and there’s been a Brexit uncertainty effect.
But as benefit cuts are made the RICS sees continuing rent increases:
“Rental growth is anticipated to accelerate to 4.4% per annum over the next 5 years.”
UK Residential Market Survey, RICS, February 2017
Citizens Advice responds to Budget 2017