Budget 2025: Housing Association CEO backs two-child benefit cap removal but concerned over cost of living

The chief executive of Bradford-based Manningham Housing Association has welcomed the Chancellor’s decision to abolish the two-child benefit cap in today’s Budget.

In a statement, Lee Bloomfield said:

“As a housing association which places a special emphasis on providing high quality affordable properties for larger families, the removal of the two-child benefit cap is positive news which will help to lift a sizeable number of children out of poverty.

“That said, I am concerned that many more people on the lowest incomes will be dragged into paying income tax by the Chancellor choosing to extend the £12,570 personal allowance threshold until 2031.

“Added to ongoing high inflation and an ever-increasing cost of living, this could have a particularly damaging impact on working families in the years ahead.

“It was also disappointing that, as one of the Government’s supposed top priorities, house building was absent from this Budget which I hope is not a sign that it has fallen down its policy agenda.

“The additional funds allocated to the West Yorkshire Mayor to invest in local areas is certainly welcome and I, along with colleagues in the West Yorkshire Housing Partnership, will be engaging with Tracy Brabin and her team to discuss how communities in Bradford and Keighley can benefit from these monies.”