GENERAL ELECTION 2024
Benefits, bills and safe routes for refugees – all the things the major parties aren’t talking about that would help make Britain better
Britain needs change. That’s why Big Issue put together a comprehensive plan for political leaders standing on 4 July detailing just what they should do to end poverty with our Blueprint for Change.
They have their own plans, of course. We’ve combed through the manifestos to see what’s missing from the conversation and the campaign trail ahead of the general election.
Reform the energy price cap
Our blueprint argued that the energy price cap is unfit for purpose for low-income households and pensioners. The cap, which reflects the typical price paid, fell to £1,568 in July but remains £300 more than in 2022. There was no sign of the Ofgem cap being scrapped in the major manifestos, with the Tories instead vowing to maintain it.
Local housing allowance to remain unfrozen
The crisis facing low-income renters saw Jeremy Hunt announce in last year’s autumn statement that local housing allowance rates would be unfrozen for the first time since 2020 in April. Housing benefits are supposed to help renters cover the bottom 30 per cent of market rates, but fall behind rising rents when they are frozen. The freeze is set to return next year despite private rents rising 8.9% in the last year on average Plaid Cymru have pledged to keep local housing allowance permanently unfrozen to keep up with rents, while
