“I can’t see anything changing anytime soon.” These were the sombre words of a Leeds man hours after Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered his Autumn Budget.
The UK is now in recession Mr Hunt told the country as he made the announcements filled with depressing tax hikes and a wave of cuts.
This included energy bills rising by £500 to an average £3,000 a year from April, a rise in council tax, extra funding for social care of up to £2.8bn next year and £4.7bn the year after, as well as an extended freeze on Income Tax and National Insurance thresholds and more.
Read more: New £900 cost of living payment for millions of people announced
Following the announcements, we took to Rothwell’s High Street to find out people’s thoughts on the new budget and it was nothing short of depressing.
People took a hit at the government, Liz Truss and even shared how they have or people around them affected by the cost of living crisis.
A 32-year-old man who works in a shop told LeedsLive that things were getting “worse and worse” but he couldn’t see things changing anytime soon.
Tom Harrtley said: “They were put in power to do that job and do something about it but it seems to be getting worse and worse.
“The next PM one is worse than the last half the time, I don’t know a lot about politics. I see stuff going up [in the news] but I won’t read it. If I read it, what difference does it make? I can’t see anything changing anytime soon, it’s bananas.”
Tom lives at home with his dad and is on minimum wage. He has thought of moving out and was on the verge of buying a house when his dad fell ill three years ago so stayed at home.
He had raised a “decent deposit” but believes he would have to save even more now to be able to buy a property now.
He believes if he was to move out and live by himself it would mean dipping into his savings to pay the bills, and despite a rise in the minimum wage rates, said it wouldn’t make much of a difference.
“I can’t afford to buy a house, nevermind the bills,” Tom added. “I had a decent deposit. I would have to save even more to get the same house (he had looked at) nevermind the deposit because they’re increasing interest rates.
“Even if I moved out to rent, I would have to dip into my savings to pay for the bills.”
Henry, who works as a Vet also shared his thoughts on the budget announcements and stated that people will struggle more during winter due to the energy prices.
The 29- year-old admitted he had not been hugely affected by the cost of living crisis but hadn’t switched on the heating yet. However, he was seeing the first hand effects of it as less and less people bring in their pets for treatment.
“I think the energy cap going up is going to make a big difference because people will struggle over winter,” he said. “I think hopefully there’s something to tax the higher earners more, I think that's what needs to be done to try to get more money coming in."
Speaking on the cost of living, he continued: “It’s noticeable how prices have gone up in shop prices.
“I’m a vet so I started to notice not many people bringing animals to be treated because they can’t afford it even more so they’re used to. We’re seeing more animals when it's the end of stage disease.
“We’re seeing a knock on effect of the cost of living crisis and having an animal is a luxury item having an animal.
“It’s sad to see so many people affected by it, I’m seeing it first hand with my clients.”
Robert Howe, 70 added: “I think the problem is that Liz Truss created a blackhole through her policies and we’re expected to pay for it. I think the energy prices are already high.
“For some people, it's going to hit them a lot harder next year. It’s going to be very difficult, I’m luckier than most, I don’t have a big lifestyle.”
Landlord Rowina Taylor said she was seeing the effects of the cost of living first hand as her mortgage for her home has gone up in price but admitted “it’s like that everywhere”.
Asked what she thought about the budget, she added: “After Liz Truss I don’t bother. Everything is in turmoil. It’s a mess at the moment. I try not to take in the news now.
“It’s just always bad news.”
Some people were understanding of the government’s decision. Sally, 72 from Castleford said: “It’s the only way they can do it, put tax up and cut back on public spending.
“I still think Brexit was a mistake and I think we have to pay back and get on with it. I’m old enough to remember 15 per cent mortgage rates in the 70s, I don’t think there’s any other way, I don’t think it matters whether it's the Tories or Labour, they would have had to do the same thing to get the books to balance.”
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A woman who did not wish to be named said: “I knew things were going to go up, you just expect it, they have to pay for things somehow and I suppose in a way they are hitting richer people who I suppose can afford it. I’m not happy but what can you do?
Speaking about cost of living, she continued: “I used to buy Lurpak, but it's like £5 now, I don’t buy it anymore. I go to Lidl and buy theirs, I never used to before. I never used to look at prices but I do now.”
A 37-year-old woman who didn’t wish to be named added: “There’s nothing anyone can do. If that’s what’s decided you have to pay it.
“For a lot of people it’s going to be a hard Christmas.
“Everything is going up and no one can afford to pay more.”
What are your thoughts on the Chancellors Autumn Budget? Let us know in the comments.
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