David Buttress, former chief executive of Just Eat, has been
appointed as the Government’s new Cost of Living Business Tsar by
the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Mr Buttress will work in partnership with the private sector to
identify, develop and promote new and existing business-led
initiatives that support people with rising costs of living –
from discounted prices or product offers to the expansion of
business-run programmes.
This work will build on the schemes, offers and targeted help
that some businesses and organisations are already providing and
help raise awareness of the private sector offer to the public,
which is in addition to extensive government-funded support.
Successful examples include price locking campaigns seen in
retailers Asda, Sainsbury’s and Boots, and energy supplier
Octopus’s decision to double its hardship support fund, which has
helped more than 36,000 people so far.
The Holiday Activities and Food Programme provides one such
opportunity for local level partnerships between sports clubs and
supermarkets, backing projects that boost access to free
activities and food during the holidays for disadvantaged
children, including those in receipt of free school meals.
Mr Buttress will join today (Tuesday 14 June) a roundtable with
supermarkets and sports organisations hosted by the Education
Secretary , where they will discuss the
role that the private sector can play in helping low-income
families, including through the Government’s Holiday Activities
and Food Programme.
Representatives from organisations such as Co-op, John Lewis
Partnership/Waitrose, Swim England, Sport England, and English
Football League are due to attend.
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said:
“Businesses and organisations across the country have stepped up
time and time again when the nation needs it most. The financial
pressures people are facing as a result of current global
challenges will be no different.
“I am delighted to have David Buttress on board, bringing with
him a wealth of experience along with the vigour and ingenuity of
business to go even further in efforts to support British
families throughout this difficult time.”
David Buttress has a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship and
investment – leading Just Eat in the UK from a start-up to
becoming Europe’s largest technology IPO in a decade. He is
currently Chairman of Dragons Rugby club in Newport and a Venture
Partner at 83North Venture Capital.
David Buttress, Cost of Living Business Tsar,
said:
“The rising cost of living that we are all facing, both in the UK
and globally, provides business and industry with a unique
challenge and opportunity to do our bit.
“I am looking forward to working closely with my private sector
colleagues, to help support our communities and customers with
practical and real cost of living saving initiatives.”
The new role of Cost of Living Business Tsar is the latest strand
of Government action to support people with challenging financial
pressures.
Last month, the Government announced that eight million of the
most vulnerable households (around a third of all UK households)
will receive £1,200 this year and all families will receive £400
– this is on top of changes to Universal Credit, National Living
Wage and National Insurance thresholds, so that people keep more
of what they earn.
This takes total government cost of living support to over £37
billion – higher than other major economies around the world.
The Government has recently launched a new website which brings
government support on offer together in one place so the public
can see what support they could be eligible for: www.gov.uk/costoflivingsupport
Notes to editors:
- David Buttress will work in this role until the end of the
year and is a voluntary (unpaid) role.
- He will report to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
and PM’s Chief of Staff .
