CARE Budget Response: Small positives, but families need more radical reform

Social policy charity CARE has responded to the Chancellor’s first budget today.

The charity’s Director of Advocacy and Policy, Caroline Ansell, said:

“We need to recognise the very serious circumstances in which this budget was delivered, not least broad economic shocks, especially due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.

“There is no doubt some of the announcements today by the Chancellor are welcome. For example, extending paternity leave to self-employed dads is a good move.

“Likewise, we are delighted to see the Chancellor introduce new taxes on high-stakes gambling machines and make moves to ensure Adult Gaming Centres don’t benefit from business rates relief.

“These are long overdue and we want to see the money raised being used to fund treatment and research into gambling addiction.

“That being said, at CARE we want to champion the vital place of families in our national life. A strong society supports families and removes financial barriers that prevent people having children.

“We are sure some will welcome the modest changes made to give families some financial breathing space amidst the cost of living.

“But realistically, these amount to very little during the storms that the Chancellor described.

“What is really needed is far more radical.

“For years, CARE has championed the need for fundamental reforms to our tax system because right now, the way tax works in this country punishes rather than protects families.

“Perhaps it was too much to ask the Treasury to make such bold reforms at this juncture.

“But in early 2027, we will bring forward our new proposals for changing the way we support families through the tax system.

“Raising the next generation is mission critical to Britain’s future so tax reform is about national prosperity as well as fairness.

“Our hope is that political parties across the House will engage with our new report, be bold in their offer to the British public for the next General Election and set out what they will do to make sure our tax system works for everyone.”
ENDS

Notes to editors:

CARE is a social policy charity that brings a Christian perspective to matters of public policy.

For more information or interview requests:

james.mildred@care.org.uk | 07717 516814