What the new Budget means for social housing
The government recently announced a new Budget outlining its plans for the next few years. This is the first Budget from a Labour government for over 14 years, and it will have a big impact on everyone in the country. But what does it mean for housing associations like us, and how might it affect you?
Five-year rent settlement
The government has announced a new five-year social housing rent settlement. This will give housing associations like us more long-term certainty about funding, allowing us to plan more effectively and invest in more new homes.
Living wage increase
The minimum wage paid by employers will go up in April. National Living Wage, for employees ages 21 and over, will rise from £11.44 an hour to £12.21.
Affordable homes budget increase
Funding for the government’s Affordable Homes Programme will increase by £500 million. This will allow for the delivery of up to 5,000 new affordable social homes.
Right to Buy reforms
The current Right to Buy scheme, which lets eligible people buy the social home they have been living in for a lower price, is changing so that the discounts are reduced. This will mean that more social homes stay in the sector instead of being bought, so that there will be more homes for people who need them.
State Pension increase
The State Pension will go up by 4.1% in April, in line with average earnings. For those who reached State Pension age after April 2016, it will increase to £230.25 a week. For those who reached State Pension age before April 2016, it will go up to £176.45 a week.
More funding for warmer homes
The government will be investing a total of £4.4 billion in its Warm Homes Plan, which includes improving cladding.
Increased bus fares
From 2025, the £2 single bus fare cap will go up to £3.
Benefits increase
Benefits are set to rise by 1.7% in April, in line with inflation. This means that the standard Universal Credit allowance for a single person under the age of 25 is expected to go up by £5.30 a month, to a total of about £317. The standard Universal Credit payment for a couple over the age of 25 is set to increase by £10.50, to a total of £628 a month.
1.5 million new homes
The government has promised to create 1.5 million new homes over the course of this parliament, including a number of social and affordable homes. This would be the biggest increase in the number of social and affordable homes built in a generation.
You can read more about how the new Budget will affect housing from HM Treasury. For more information on how the new Budget might affect you in general, take a look at this article from the BBC.
Have your say
The new Budget is good news overall for housing associations and our customers. By putting these changes in place, we’re hopeful that the government will be able to deliver on its promises for the housing sector.
You can help shape our future plans here at CHP by completing our Corporate Strategy survey. By telling us your views, you can enter our prize draw for the chance to win a £25 voucher, and directly impact what we do as an organisation over the next five years.