Rise is one of the 50 organisations working across all sectors throughout the North East who have joined forces today (8th November) to urge the Chancellor to strengthen our ‘threadbare safety net’, ahead of this month’s Autumn Statement.

Writing jointly to Jeremy Hunt in response to reports the Government may not increase social security payments by inflation next April, the organisations emphasise that:

‘forcing low income families – who have borne the brunt of the cost of living crisis – to endure yet another real terms cut to their budgets is unthinkable, and would only exacerbate already high levels of child poverty and destitution, the most severe form of material hardship, in the North East’.

More than half of all babies, children and young people growing up in the North East of England are in families relying on Universal Credit or equivalent legacy benefits. Most of these families are in low paid work, or recognised as being unable to work due to disability, ill health or caring responsibilities.

And the cross-sector coalition have jointly warned that:

‘An increasing number of organisations across our region – whether charities or community organisations, schools or colleges, local authorities or healthcare providers – are now dealing with the impacts of unacceptable levels of hardship on a daily basis. Many are already supporting growing numbers of families to access basic essentials, on a scale that is simply not sustainable when donations are far outstripped by levels of need and already overstretched budgets are at breaking point.’

The 50 organisations backing today’s letter – which has been copied to all North East MPs – have therefore urged the Chancellor to use his Autumn Statement on 22nd November to confirm that social security payments will be increased at least by inflation (6.7%) from April.

They have further called on him to commit to review the adequacy of this support going forward, to ensure it at least always covers the cost of household essentials.

Clare Morley, chief executive officer of Rise, said:

“It’s clear from the data that people from lower socio-economic groups are far less likely to be physically active than those from more affluent communities.  In turn, this can have a negative impact on their physical and mental wellbeing, as well as their sense of community pride and togetherness.  

For children, being active also supports their ability to learn in school and have positive childhood experiences, but sadly far too many children in our region are living in poverty and are not able to access opportunities to move for at least the recommended 60 minutes a day. We therefore stand united with partners and organisations across the North East who have signed this letter from the North East Child Poverty Commission, calling on Government to ensure that announcements within the upcoming Autumn Statement support low income families.”

Michele Deans, interim chair of the North East Child Poverty Commission, said: ‘“Our social security system should provide people facing tough times with a dignified safety net, yet it’s becoming increasingly clear that it is completely failing to protect North East families – both in out of work – from poverty.

“It isn’t even delivering what should be its most basic function of eradicating destitution, when growing numbers of organisations across our region are stepping in to support children and young people to access the most basic essentials, such as food, clothing, toiletries or other items like beds.

“Today’s joint letter sends a powerful, collective message to the Government from our region – that it’s unthinkable to expect families in the North East to sustain yet another real terms cut to their income, and the Chancellor must use his Autumn Statement to confirm that support like Universal Credit will rise at least in line with the cost of living from April, as it always should.

“It is also well beyond time to recognise that our safety net has to be strengthened for the long-term – and that it must, at the very least, always guarantee that families can afford household essentials.”

Alongside the North East Child Poverty Commission and Rise, those signing today’s letter include the Bishop of Durham and representatives from the North East Chamber of Commerce, Northern TUC, Voluntary Organisations' Network North East (VONNE), the North East & North Cumbria Child Health and Wellbeing Network, Schools North East, the North East Association of Directors of Children’s Services, the North East Association of Directors of Public Health, the Association of Colleges North East, Citizens Advice offices across the region, and a range of voluntary and community organisations working in local areas throughout the North East.

Read a copy of the letter, with the full list of signatories