Decision details

The proposed amendments to the motion which were circulated before the meeting were  NOT CARRIED.

RESOLVED:

1.  To call on the Government to introduce an Emergency Budget to take urgent action to protect the people of Hackney from the cost of living crisis.

2.  To note that:

·  Energy costs have risen by an average of £693 per household – and are set to rise even further, with Ofgem setting the energy price cap at £2800 from October

·  Food prices are soaring, some basic staples by as much as 20%

·  Inflation has hit 9% ? its highest level in 40 years

·  Personal Taxation is now at its highest level in 70 years

·  48% of children in Hackney live in poverty and 16.5% of local residents are claiming out-of-work benefits

·  Meanwhile £11.8bn of public money has been lost to fraud through the Governments covid support schemes

3.  To write to the Prime Minister urging him to:

·  Introduce an immediate Emergency Budget to protect children, families, and pensioners from the worst fall in living standards in generations

·  Cut business rates for small businesses

·  Cut the VAT rate on energy bills

·  Increase the support available to all claimants through the welfare and benefits system

·  Deliver on the calls made by UNISON, the NEU and other education unions to expand the free school meals programme to all families receiving universal credit or an equivalent benefit

·  Fund Hackney Council’s Green Homes programme to retrofit homes helping to  reduce home energy consumption and cut energy bills.