Bishops’ agency criticises Budget for not helping the working poor

The Chancellor’s autumn statement on Wednesday missed the opportunity to help working families, especially those in low-paid work, according to an agency of the bishops’ conference.

“It is a shame that the opportunity wasn’t taken to provide solutions to reduce in-work poverty such as a just wage that works for all,” Helen O’Brien, chief executive of CSAN (Caritas Social Action Network), said.

In an earlier statement she said: “We welcome today’s commitment to build more affordable housing and fund dementia research, but wonder why the Government did not take this final chance to help working families.

“The increase in employment has masked the fact that many ordinary families, locked in with poor wage growth and will continue to struggle to make ends meet. The lower than expected income tax receipts provide further evidence that more people are forced to accept low-paid work. It is important for people to work; the reward should be a just wage.

CSAN (Caritas Social Action Network) is the domestic social action arm of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. It comprises over 42 Catholic charities which work across England and Wales supporting children living in poverty, homeless people, disabled people, Travellers, migrants, refugees, prisoners and other marginalised groups.