Protect those already struggling

Lincolnshire Housing Partnership is joining organisations across the country calling on Rishi Sunak to ensure the Spring Budget protects those already struggling in the cost-of-living crisis.

As a member of PlaceShapers, we have signed an open letter to the Prime Minister – and you can also sign as an individual. https://act.38degrees.org.uk/act/together-through-this-petition

The calls are

• Help us heat our homes – provide effective, ongoing support for Brits struggling to pay our energy bills during this crisis, and boost insulation so our bills keep coming down.
• Make sure kids aren’t going hungry – by expanding free school meals to all children, prioritising families receiving Universal Credit or equivalent benefits.
• Keep a roof over our heads – unfreezing housing benefit so we can stay in our homes as rents soar.
• Give a lifeline when times are tough – when it becomes impossible to pay our bills and feed our families, a system which treats us with dignity and helps us get back on our feet.

A spokesperson for Placeshapers said: “People on the lowest incomes are disconnecting their gas or electricity and unable to afford to cook hot meals for themselves and their children. People are doing their best and we are doing all we can to support communities (add in some examples of what). The Government must also do more.”

The petition will be handed in to Downing Street ahead of the Spring Budget which takes place on 15 March. We were part of a campaign ahead of the Autumn 2022 budget calling on Government to protect those struggling. The 404,000 strong petition helped Government see the strength of public feeling ahead of them announcing that benefits would be increased in line with inflation.