starting this one early
Will be following the budget via guardian/sky news/bbc news live texts as per usual and will post screenshots like usual
Remember that the nitty gritty of the budget doc itself won’t be published till the budget speech (which starts 12:30) ends so realistically from 2pm earliest
Also I’m not sure how much stuff on welfare and the disabled will be announced in the budget later today (we know they are waiting till spring 2025 to announce pip reforms and the disability white paper should be published before the end of 2024 - basically continuing this pattern of letting disabled claimants continue stewing in their own anxiety instead of being put out of our misery so to speak)
Also I think the budget ‘bill’ is voted on at some point next week and it’s known that some labour backbenchers are very uncomfortable about the prospect of welfare cuts as it’s not what they signed up for - even with their 170 majority starmer won’t want descent from any labour mp over budget (hence why I’m questioning if anything significant welfare changes will be announced tomorrow - also with the massive hike in minimum wage already announced the uc tapered rate is more likely to kick in (esp with uc claimants with no additional elements having to seek at least 18hrs of work a week)…..basically the raise in min wage is technically the first announcement of how labour intend to reduce the benefit bill!)
I’m probably not going to be able to do my highlighted page screenshots of the budget pdf till the evening or Thursday
(that’s because on a personal note this budget is going to potentially be very damaging in many areas, not just welfare & disability, on my family and honestly I’m fully expecting both my short and long term future to be destroyed, I just don’t know how badly or if another backup plan can be salvaged - I won’t expand as I’m not sure how many ppl would understand and its kind of personal - needless to say it’s created a stressful weight on my shoulders the past 3 months that’s been taking its toll and I need to research for my family first before highlighting the relevant parts of the budget doc got the scope community…………………………I hope you all understand why I need to be a bit selfish in terms of priorities on this)
