The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, presented the Government's Spring Budget on Wednesday 17 March 2023.
Responding to it, PlaceShapers Chair Matthew Walker said: "This is a budget about long term sustainable growth which can only be achieved with a long term focus on resolving the housing crisis. We are disappointed this is not directly addressed in the Budget.
"We welcome the principle of devolution as it recognises that different areas have specific housing needs. Members in Manchester and Birmingham look forward to working with partners locally to build on the opportunities it offers.
"Private renters are among those hardest hit by the housing crisis and the budget was a missed opportunity to do more to help those priced out of homes and ultimately at risk of homelessness through an LHA cap which has failed to keep up with housing costs.
"Access to affordable housing is a defining factor in sustaining employment. While we welcome the focus on employment support and childcare costs, we are concerned at some of the negative language used to describe people in receipt of benefits. Rather than talking of sanctions, we hope the same focus is extended to help them overcome long term barriers to employment.
"People must be able to live affordably - members continue to report that the cost-of-living crisis is the number one issue affecting communities so the extension of the Energy Support Fund will alleviate some worry for those who are struggling."
