Benefits: they're clearly affordable, and urgently need reform
A government should provide a fair, fast and efficient benefits system that supports the disadvantaged. Low and uncertain income is affecting thousands of people in the Suffolk Coastal region every day. It's a major source of mental stress, poor health and family break-up. It causes long-term damage to children's development, and can even result in a child being taken into care.
Recent rising inflation and withdrawal of government support has made the daily struggle even harder for people who don't have enough money for basic needs.
What we would change
We believe that the present complex rules on benefits and taxation require fundamental reform, especially in the interests of low-income families and to remove other inequalities built into the system. Independent, non-political organisations ranging from the New Economic Forum to Citizens Advice are calling for this reform.
There should be an immediate uplift of £40 a week in the Universal Credit rate, paid to all current claimants and to those who receive other corresponding benefits. This would restore and double the uplift paid during the pandemic. For a single person over 25, the current UC Standard Allowance is £368.74 a month. This is more than £500 a month less than the full State Pension.
The Green Party's proposal would take the Standard Allowance to £542.07 a month. This simple and affordable action is an example of how we think progressive government should work, as it responds to clear evidence of urgent need.
