Easy News: Changes to Work Capability Assessments and National Minimum Wage in the Autumn Statement 2023

1. 

   On 22nd November, Jeremy Hunt told everyone about the Autumn Statement. The Autumn Statement says what the government will spend money on.

2. 

   Jeremy Hunt is the Chancellor of the Exchequer. 2 times a year the Chancellor makes a Statement, with lots to say how the government collects and spends money.

3. 

   From January 2024, people in jobs will have to pay less towards National Insurance. Jeremy Hunt says that on average, people will pay about £450 less than they do right now.

4. 

   National Insurance pays for things like Jobseeker's Allowance, Statutory Sick Pay, and the National Pension. People who work must give some of their pay to National Insurance. The more you get paid, the more money you must give.

5. 

   The Minimum Wage will go up after April 2024. The Minimum Wage is the lowest amount someone can be paid for each hour they work for their job.

6. 

   Now, the Minimum Wage is £10.42 if you're 23 or older, but if you are 21 or 22 then it is only £10.18. After April, everyone who is 21 or older must be paid £11.44 per hour or more.

7. 

   Jeremy Hunt has said the government will spend £19 billion less on public services. He says the government spends too much money and lots of it is wasted.

8. 

   Public services include things like education, healthcare, housing, social care, emergency services and rubbish collection.

9. 

   Local councils expect to get less money from the government. Some people are worried that the councils will be unable to pay for things, and will go bankrupt. Since 2000, 8 councils have already gone bankrupt including Birmingham, Croydon and Northamptonshire.

10. 

    Jeremy Hunt said he would make big changes to the welfare system. He wants to get 200 thousand people off benefits and back into work.

11. 

    Benefits will increase by 6.7%, but the government wants to have less people on them. It will be harder for people to claim benefits.

12. 

    If someone is on Jobseeker's Allowance for more than 18 months, they will be made to do work experience or else lose their benefits. Work experience is like a job but is not paid.

13. 

    Someone can lose their Universal Credit benefits if they do not talk to Job Centre staff, or accept work that is offered to them over 6 months. Universal Credit is different from Jobseeker's Allowance.

14. 

    Jeremy Hunt also said the Local Housing Allowance will go up, for the first time since the year 2020. He said it will go up by about £800 per year for some people.

15. 

    If you are worried about these changes, you can speak to someone at Scope's free disability helpline by calling 0808 800 3333 or emailing them at helpline@scope.org.uk.

16. 

    If you would like to see more detail about all those things, the government website on the Autumn Statement is here. It is very complicated and not written in easy read.

17. 

    There are many other parts of the Autumn Statement. Jeremy Hunt talked about things like how much Britain makes, how much it borrows, and how much a pound is worth.

18. 

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