Our view on the Chancellor’s Emergency Budget Statement

The Chancellor has announced changes to the ‘energy price guarantee’. Addressing the media, Mr Hunt announced the removal of the government’s guarantee to keep energy bills for a typical UK household down to an average of £2,500 per year until 2024 in England, Scotland and Wales. 

The guarantee will now only run until April 2023, with revised energy price support proposals being put in place from then on.

We’re disappointed by the reversal of any commitment to provide ongoing support for households struggling to eat, heat and pay for medication. The stability this statement was supposed to provide has actually made it harder for people to plan their finances. 

For example, people with Parkinson’s who are considering big life decisions such as changes to their working hours or moving closer to family for additional support, the potential for rising bills and no government assistance may mean that plans are put on hold, further impacting their health. 

The announcement did nothing to address our key concern that benefits for people with long-term conditions like Parkinson’s, should be increased by the rate of inflation.  

We urge the government to act to address this. We are concerned that the Chancellor’s position will force people with Parkinson’s to ration their energy use, reduce their ability to afford travel to healthcare appointments, and increase isolation.

In September’s ‘mini budget’, an increase on national insurance rates called the ‘health and social care levy’ was scrapped. Originally introduced to generate income for the NHS, the government reaffirmed today that increased investment in health and social care would still go ahead, despite the scrapping of this levy. 

There was still no detail of a plan to address the crisis in the NHS workforce. Urgent action is needed to ensure people with Parkinson’s can access the doctors, nurses and therapists they need.

Sue Christoforou, Senior Policy and Campaigns Adviser at Parkinson’s UK, said:

"Support for people with Parkinson's with the cost of living crisis remains inadequate after today’s announcement. Changes to energy bill support will leave many people with Parkinson’s deeply worried about how they will pay for vital heating, cooking and equipment costs beyond April 2023 and the impact this will have on their health.

"These are costs that people with Parkinson’s cannot avoid and which are crucial to helping them to live well with the condition. People should not have to make ‘efficiency savings’ when it comes to their health. 

"And while we welcome the government’s commitment to future funding for the NHS, people with Parkinson’s can’t wait for the much-anticipated NHS workforce plan to ensure better Parkinson’s care."