MP, Labour’s Shadow
Chancellor, responding to news that median income for the
poorest fifth dropped by 4.3% over the last two years,
said:
“It is shameful that incomes of the poorest in our society
plummeted over the last two years after years of cuts to our
public services.
“The Government has created nothing less than a social
emergency, with widespread rough sleeping, the brutality of
Universal Credit, and the crisis in social care blighting the
lives of so many of our people.
“We urgently need action in next week’s Budget to improve the
lives of the worst off, but with austerity baked in to the
Conservatives’ plans that looks unlikely.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
· Figures
out from the ONS today show median income for the poorest fifth
of people fell by 4.3% per year over the two years up to FYE
2019https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/personalandhouseholdfinances/incomeandwealth/bulletins/householddisposableincomeandinequality/financialyearending2019
· IFS
Director Paul Johnson has said austerity is “baked in” to the
Conservative policy plans: https://www.ifs.org.uk/election/2019/manifestos
· Figures
out today also shows income inequality increased over the two
years to 2019: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/personalandhouseholdfinances/incomeandwealth/bulletins/householdincomeinequalityfinancial/financialyearending2019
