PAYMENT LIFT TO THE NEEDY

Hunt Budget boost for hard-up, disabled & OAPS

COST of living payments for those most in need are expected to be announced in tomorrow’s Autumn Statement.

It would mean another £650 for 8.2 million households on meanstested benefits including Universal Credit and Tax or Pension Credits.

Another £150 would go to 6.3 million people on disability benefits including Personal Independence Payment.

And there would be £300 more for 8 million pensioner households who already receive a Winter Fuel Payment. Those in all three groups would get £1,100 of support.

But the £400 given to all households this winter as a discount on fuel bills will not be repeated.

The Resolution Foundation warned it would lead to a “cliff edge” where “someone earning £1 too much misses out on hundreds of pounds”. Chancellor Jeremy Hunt admitted his statement will be “very difficult”.

The Energy Price Guarantee will move from capping average bills at £2,500 a year now to as much as £3,100 next year, reports claim – making average bills nearly £2,000 higher than they were last year.

Mr Hunt will also unleash £55billion of tax rises and spending cuts, including a council tax hike taking the average bill over £2,000 a year. He is also set to impose stealth tax rises by freezing income tax, National Insurance and other thresholds until 2028.

Workers have already suffered a 2.7% real-terms pay cut in the last year as inflation soars. Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “What Britain needs in the Autumn Statement are fairer choices for working people, and a proper plan for growth.”

STEALTH Hunt