29th September 2020

Social welfare rates must be increased in Budget 2021. The gap between those reliant on social welfare and those on average weekly earnings is growing. Average earnings to the end of Q2 2020 increased by 6 per cent, whereas core social welfare rates have seen no increase since Budget 2019. Social welfare rates must be increased in Budget 2021, in line with a movement towards 27.5 per cent of average weekly earnings in order to address this growing problem. If not, then this Government will leave those who are most vulnerable behind.