After months of speculation, I was left somewhat underwhelmed by Wednesday’s Budget. That’s not to say there weren’t bright spots. The decision to end the two-child limit in Universal Credit is nothing short of monumental. It was a cruel and punishing policy that affected some of the most vulnerable families, and its removal will lift tens of thousands of children out of poverty. CIH, along with countless campaigners, has long fought for this moment, and it deserves genuine celebration.

There were other welcome measures too, particularly targeted support to ease cost-of-living pressures facing low-income households — communities our members work with every day. And in a positive step for people living in supported and temporary accommodation, the Government confirmed that the sharp housing benefit “cliff edge” is being reformed from Autumn 2026. New earned income disregards will allow residents to keep more of what they earn before losing support — a policy shift CIH has long advocated for, and one that will help remove barriers to work for thousands of people.