Lots of ambition in King’s Speech but critical missing piece is social security reform

Responding to the King’s Speech, Abby Jitendra, JRF Principal Policy Adviser, said:

"What's clear from this legislative programme is that ministers understand they need to pull more than one lever to address poverty, which is the right approach.

"There is lots of ambition to address some of the leading drivers of poverty. This includes building more affordable and social housing and ending no-fault evictions. It’s also good to see that equal pay for ethnic minorities and disabled people will be enshrined in law, and laws to enhance employment rights to raise pay, make it easier to care and more work more secure. However, the critical missing piece is reforming social security so we all have a safety net to rely upon.

“The Government talks of helping the country move on from the cost of living challenges with local wealth creation. But, almost four million people experienced destitution in one year, going without enough food, unable to replace worn out clothes or pay their energy bills.

“Low-income families remain in the thick of a cost of living crisis. They don’t have the luxury to wait for the economy to grow. We hope to see plans soon to tackle hardship and strengthen our social security system that is failing to protect people.”