A KEIGHLEY housing boss claims the Chancellor's mini-Budget will widen the gap between those on the lowest incomes and people least in need of financial support.
Lee Bloomfield – chief executive of Manningham Housing Association, which manages over 1,400 homes across Keighley and Bradford – says many will find the measures "deeply worrying".
Announcements by Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng included a cut in the basic rate of income tax to 19p and the abolition of the 45 per cent top rate of tax for higher earners.
Mr Bloomfield said: "The Chancellor's decision to target measures towards helping the better off will be deeply worrying for individuals and families on the bottom rungs of the income ladder.
"The 600,000 highest earners in the country will save an average of £10,000 a year through his abolition of the top rate of income tax. Meanwhile, he issued a threat to cut benefits for 120,000 people on Universal Credit.
"We're dealing with a cost-of-living crisis which is slashing household budgets every week.
"The Chancellor had the opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of those suffering most from rising costs. Instead, he chose to give extra help to people who need it least."
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