Our response to the Spring Statement
From Steve Vaid, Chief Executive at the Money Advice Trust
Posted March 26, 2025
Steve Vaid, Chief Executive at the Money Advice Trust, the charity that runs National Debtline, said:
"The unexpected cut to the Universal Credit health element for new claimants risks pushing more people facing health issues into financial difficulty in future. Around half of people receiving Universal Credit who we help at National Debtline already have a negative budget, meaning they don't have enough money coming in to cover their essential costs, like food and household bills. In light of this announcement, it is likely that we will see more even more people coming to us in this predicament.
"With households due to be hit next week by rises in energy, water and council tax bills, the Chancellor's statement was light on help for people whose budgets are already at breaking point. Instead of these cuts, we need to see the introduction of an energy social tariff and increased council tax support to help lift the pressure on households on the lowest incomes."
