UK ministers announce five everyday fixes ahead of budget
The package aims to help three million workers and save households about £21 a year on food.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Ministers have unveiled five “everyday fixes” to ease the cost‑of‑living crisis ahead of Wednesday’s budget, the chancellor and prime minister said.
What happened
The government will make the 55p tax‑free mileage allowance permanent for the first 10,000 miles driven for work, with rates above that rising from 25p to 35p. The package is expected to benefit around three million employees and self‑employed people.
Tariffs on more than 100 products, including baked beans, chocolate and gherkins, will be removed, saving households an estimated £21 on food shopping over a year, according to the Treasury. Additional tariff cuts target fertilisers for farmers and kerosene used as heating oil.
Other measures include extending parental pay to more than 150,000 parents each year, rolling out hundreds of extra Post Office drop‑boxes to ease parcel queues, and ending the cliff edge on carers’ allowance by tapering the benefit £1 for every £1 earned above the limit.
The budget will also contain a £432 million boost aimed at getting homeless people off the streets by Christmas.
What the reports add
- The Independent notes the measures were revealed on Tuesday and are expected to be included in Wednesday’s budget.
- The Evening Standard repeats the same five measures and adds the detail about the £432 million homeless‑help boost.
- Both outlets attribute the announcements to the chancellor, John Healey, and Prime Minister Andy Burnham.
What was said
“We are taking on the big challenges facing the country. But that doesn’t mean losing sight of the everyday problems that cost people money or simply aren’t fair. If you’re a nurse driving for work, a parent spending those precious first weeks with your new baby, or an unpaid carer picking up an extra shift, these changes will make life a little easier and put more money back in your pocket.” – Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Independent
“Today’s everyday fixes are just a small part of what we are doing to give families a bit of breathing space.” – Chancellor John Healey, Independent
“We will do more to give people and businesses ‘breathing space’ at Wednesday’s fiscal event, beyond the measures we have already announced.” – Prime Minister Andy Burnham, Evening Standard
How it came about
The mileage allowance and food‑tariff cuts were also highlighted in Felo News' recent coverage of the pre‑budget cost‑of‑living package, which included the removal of the carers’ benefit cliff edge (see article).
Key facts
- The 55p tax‑free mileage allowance will be permanent for the first 10,000 work miles. (independent.co.uk)
- Rates above 10,000 miles will rise from 25p to 35p. (independent.co.uk)
- Tariffs on more than 100 food products will be removed, saving households about £21 per year. (standard.co.uk)
- The package aims to help three million employees and self‑employed people. (independent.co.uk)
- Tariff cuts also target fertilisers and kerosene used for heating. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk
- [2] standard.co.uk
