Shelter responds to the Chancellor’s Spending Review

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter said: “With dire forecasts of soaring unemployment and rough economic seas ahead, today’s Spending Review offered barely any hope for struggling families.  

“The Chancellor talked about the importance of home, but with no new money or urgency to build the social homes that so many are desperate for. Nor was there any reassurance that the welfare safety net will be there for people in their time of need. In fact, a red flag hidden in the small print suggests the government will freeze housing benefit next year, amounting to a real-term cut for families battling to keep up with their rent. 

“This was a missed opportunity to tackle our out-of-control housing emergency. You cannot defeat rising poverty or homelessness with courage alone.”  

ENDS