The measures that the Chancellor outlined today are fair and involves a split between tax rises and spending cuts, with the greatest burden falling on those who can afford it most. 

The Chancellor is right to focus on economic inactivity in Autumn Statement. High vacancy rates are one of business’s biggest issues and holds back growth. Business and government must help more people into those jobs, tapping new talent with the right support. 

This week I urged the government and business to work together to help people get into work. There are record-high job vacancies across the country, which means that one of the very top issues for businesses is how to recruit - and millions of people would like to work but may need a bit of support. Unblocking this is the way to grow the economy and include everyone’s talents. 

In the Statement, over £12 billion of additional targeted support to help the most vulnerable households as the government continues to provide this year’s cost of living payments and next year, as well as extra one-off payments of £900 for the 8 million households on means-tested benefits, £300 to pensioners, £150 for disability benefit recipients and through the Energy Price Guarantee the average household will save a further £500, to help with their energy bills. As part of this the government are also providing £1 billion of extra funding by extending the Household Support Fund for another year. 

Due to the difficult but necessary decisions taken elsewhere, the government has fully protected the Triple Lock for pensions. This means that in April, the State Pension will increase in line with inflation, which is the biggest cash increase in the State Pension ever. 

To protect the most vulnerable, in the Autumn Budget it was announced that benefits will be increased in line with inflation for 2023–24. Nationally, this means that more than 10 million households in receipt of working-age and disability benefits will see an increase in their benefit payments. The average uplift for households Universal Credit will be around £600. 

From 1 April 2023, the National Living Wage will increase by 9.7 per cent to £10.42 an hour for workers aged 23 and over. This represents an increase of over £1,600 to the annual earnings of a full-time worker in Norwich on the National Living Wage. 

I hope you find this information helpful. The Government is committed to jobs and families, and so am I for us in Norwich. If I can help constituents with any matter, please do email me on chloe@chloesmith.org.uk or ring my constituency office on 01603 414756.