As the UK eagerly awaits the Budget on Wednesday, BBC News has spoken to individuals with a range of incomes to better understand what they hope for and what fears they have around the upcoming announcements. Amongst those interviewed is Hannah Clarke, a mother of two juggling two part-time jobs whilst studying for a midwifery degree. She earns around £1,800 per month, mostly via a student loan, and is struggling to make ends meet with a mortgage payment that increased by a third earlier in the year. Clarke feels that some level of free school meals should be offered regardless of means testing and that if fuel duty increases then drivers should not have to pay more for petrol or diesel.
Also interviewed was Luken Coleman, a business administration apprentice who earns approximately £1,500 per month. Living with his parents, Coleman would like to see apprentices paid more as living on this income currently leaves him unable to afford to move out. Yasmin Taylor, an antitrust tech consultant and single mother of two children, takes home £7,600 per month with roughly £2,600 going on childcare. Though she acknowledges her status as a high earner, Taylor feels like she is being punished for having children, and is particularly concerned about energy bills this winter and potential cuts to benefits.
Other interviewees included Kirsty Brett, who works as a cleaner in a care home earning minimum wage and cannot afford a one-bedroom flat to live in; Nicole Healing, a person with disabilities receiving benefits; Andrew Cunningham, a blogger and web developer; Ben Howard, who is comfortable but concerned his household will be worse off after the budget, and Allana Lamb, a retired social worker and veteran whose income is not enough to cover her outgoings.
Each interviewee has their own unique situation and set of concerns, but the common thread throughout is a desire for stability and an easing of the financial strain that many are experiencing. As the Budget approaches, all eyes will be on what measures the government chooses to put forward in order to address these concerns
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
