Just one in five (19%) instead believe there should be a rise below inflation, which is being considered by the Government, with only 7% believing there shouldn’t be a rise at all.
This reflects a longer term trend around views on social security and the need for the system to provide people with enough to live on.
The Government’s consideration of an increase of 5.4%, in line with earnings, would amount to the biggest permanent real-terms cut to the basic rate of benefits ever made in a single year, according to recent JRF analysis.
In addition, failing to uprate benefits in line with inflation combined with personal tax changes made at the fiscal statement would be profoundly regressive, with the poorest 10% losing 2.6% of their income (£214 a year) while the richest 10% gain 4.3% or over £5000.
Rebecca McDonald, Chief Economist at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said:
“The majority of the public have taken a clear view already, and firmly oppose government suggestions that they are considering the biggest permanent real-terms cut to the basic rate of benefits ever made in a single year.
“This is all the more decisive when you consider that the issue has only been in the public eye since the government first floated the idea for the real-terms cut less than a fortnight ago.
She added: “Pressing ahead with this move in the face of public opposition would be morally indefensible and would target spending cuts at those on the lowest incomes, many of whom cannot afford the essentials as it is. It would also terrify millions who have already been enduring a cost of living emergency for months.”
Note: Disability Rights UK and the Disability Poverty Campaign group (DPCG) recently wrote a letter to the new Prime Minister Liz Truss, urging her to respond to the growing cost-of-living crisis in the Disabled community. The frank and strongly worded letter demanded urgent resolutions to halt the devastating and intensifying levels of poverty faced by disabled people.
Included in the letter were immediate actions to help support Disabled people such as an emergency benefit uprating to be in line with current inflation, stronger engagement with disabled people-led organisations and to reform the entire benefit system to make it easier and more supportive.
DR UK and the DPCG are hoping for a response to the letter and to meet with Ministers to work constructively together to uphold the rights of disabled people at this time of national crisis.
The letter to the Prime Minister is available to read and share online.
For more information see Government plans “completely out of step with public opinion” as clear majority call for benefits to be uprated by inflation available from jrf.org.uk.
See also our news story Benefits must rise by inflation, says DR UK.
