Cheryl James, a dedicated carer from Treharris, South Wales, is deeply worried about the implications of the upcoming Autumn Budget announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. At 46, Cheryl manages the care of her 23-year-old son Joe, who has autism, while managing her own chronic health conditions including fibromyalgia and scoliosis.
Currently, Cheryl receives £1,911 monthly from Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), alongside £75 monthly to assist with mortgage interest. Additionally, she gets £104 monthly in child benefit for her younger son, Elliot, aged 13. Despite this support, Cheryl admits the rising costs of essential items like food, gas, and electricity are putting her financial stability at risk.
“I’m just coping now, but there’s no extra cash left each month,” she explains. “Being on benefits means you can lose your income overnight, and that fear is always there.”
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Cheryl stresses that slowing the rise in living costs would significantly ease pressure on families like hers. She also calls for increased investment in social care, lamenting the lack of support for her disabled son: “I’d have better odds winning the lottery than getting him the care he deserves.”
Cheryl’s concerns echo those of others facing financial challenges: a single mother working in beauty services struggles to balance income and expenses as seasonal credit gives way to winter debt. Another state pensioner highlights soaring prices and urges the government to raise the tax threshold, so pensioners aren’t taxed, while protecting vital PIP payments.
As the government prepares its Budget, the voices of those reliant on benefits underline the urgent need to address the cost-of-living crisis and support vulnerable households.