The "Summer Budget" is a week today. The Conservatives told us they would cut the benefits budget by £12 billion a year – where do you think that will be? These are some ideas that have been floated.
(1) Reduce the benefit cap
(2) Reduce benefits for migrants although that could prove more difficult and could also affect British subjects working in the rest of the EU
(3) They could also cut Child Benefit. They have said they won't cut it but they could keep the rate the same and limit the number of children who get it.
(4) They have targeted the under 25s in the past and may do more of this. One suggestion is that they will change Job Seekers allowance to a Youth allowance for this age group and that is could only be claimed by those in an apprenticeship, a traineeship, or doing daily community work.
(5) The Tories have also looked into extending the bedroom tax. If they were going to do it they would need to do it as early as possible in the parliament as it has been very unpopular with nowhere for people to move to.
(6) Comes from talk about maternity pay. Will they expect employers to contribute? It has been suggested. That could be a tough one for the Tories re business.
(7) Tax credits seem quite a sure bet though as DC has said that he wants to stop the "pay benefits/get tax" merry-go-round. Where and how is the question on this one in my mind.
(8) Regional benefit caps have also been floated with more benefits for London and less for the regions. With the government pushing out "spending powers" to the regions this would end up with a "not me gov" excuse so could look tempting to GO.
(9) Contributory employment support allowances have been in the government’s view finder. If these went those with savings and/or another household income would get no Job Seekers if they lost their job as this would be totally means-tested
(10) The disabled and carers could be hit by the taxing of disability living allowance, personal independence payments and attendance allowance – the last of which is paid to over-65s who receive personal care.
