I say step-up, and not help, because they should have stepped up a long time ago. I have always said that the cost of living outweighs inflation and that we have, for our entire lives, trusted that our tax is used for the right reasons, but it has been like observing a solicitor who has been given a trust fund live a very comfortable life on it and giving the beneficiary peanuts instead of the intended income.
It is not new (the suffering and hardship), but it has reached such a crisis point that high profile people have started to see that it is all wrong, and people are starting to understand that it is working people who are in negative income, and not benefit scroungers. And let’s be clear, some people simply cannot work, they have heart-breaking disabilities either physical or mental and they need us to be humane about valuing their place in this life. We are not better than they are, we are the lucky ones.
My frustration around the SMBN has always been the barriers to work that should not exist, we are able bodied, able minded, we do not need upskilling or cooking classes, we have just fallen victim to childcare being out of sync with work and uncapped rental combined with low earnings equalling genuine hardship. There are too many barriers and there is too much uncapped ungoverned greed. So that is what must change long term. Short term, help is needed for the millions suffering to get by. Calls from debt collectors, bailiffs for council tax, cards declined for food, it is an appalling state or affairs, when people are just trying to work and pay their way, or are unable to work by no fault of their own.
So, today, the Chancellor, as a result of outcry and pressure, sadly not through genuine understanding, has announced the following: (my analogy is geared towards my SP audience)
DWP will make a one off payment of £650 to 8 million low income households (this will be half in July and half in Autumn see HERE) – I would imagine this is back pay for benefits beneath inflation? tbc (see blogs below as stigma is rife for benefits but there is a blog for holding your head high as a single mum on benefits)
Non-means tested (disability benefits) will get £150 on top of this
this may offer a bit of help to pay bills and buy food in six weeks or so, but we all know that a lot more permanent resolve is needed.
Pensioner households will get an extra £300 of winter fuel payment (I don’t think this will be enough tbh)
The £200 energy loan is now a £400 grant for ALL energy bills for ‘everyone’
The household support fund held by local councils extended by £500million (discretionary)
Rishi reiterated the Gov are on the side of the British People, and reiterated the support through Covid. I think they do mean well, they just don’t have adequate lived experience to see the real issues… maybe they will take some advisories on board!
Targeted Levy for Energy Profits – *temporary
To keep on top of the technical details be sure to follow Martin Lewis on Twitter @MartinSLewis
(thank you Martin Lewis for really helping us all)
My inflation warning blog from 2016 https://juliehawkins.blog/2018/05/10/working-for-poverty-self-employment/
Penalised for being Poor 2016 https://juliehawkins.blog/2016/10/23/rewarded-for-being-rich-and-penalised-for-being-poor/
Holding your head high as a single mum on benefits https://singlemumsbusinessnetwork.com/2019/03/22/benefits-as-a-single-mum-holding-your-head-high/
Bias in the tenant market https://juliehawkins.blog/2017/08/10/bias-in-the-tenant-market-hb-or-pets-no-thank-you/
Why flexible working (lack of) costs millions in benefits https://juliehawkins.blog/2020/01/08/flexible-working-isnt-an-option-thats-what-my-employer-confirmed-during-my-maternity-i-had-to-choose-my-career-or-my-daughter-i-chose-my-daughter-and-paid-the-price/
9-5 Manmade Manslaughter https://juliehawkins.blog/2016/09/30/the-blog/
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Friend of the SMBN Carol McIntyre – Founder of Exec Pro VA – A Welcome Renewal!
It is always lovely to welcome a new member or new friend to the SMBN, but it’s something extra special when a member has a break then re-joins, or renews their membership. It’s a real pleasure to extend a warm second welcome to Carol McIntyre, after her confirmation of renewal of being part of what we are so proud to be. A force for good.
So, for those of you who don’t know about Carol or Exec Pro VA – here’s a little snippet:
It’s out! Single Mums Business Magazine – Summer Edition 2022
It’s out! Single Mums Business Magazine – Summer Edition 2022
Welcome ‘Friend of the SMBN’, Caron Kipping, Divorce & Separation Coach
Welcome ‘Friend of the SMBN’, Caron Kipping, Divorce & Separation Coach
Caron is a Divorce Coach specialising in supporting people in abusive and controlling relationships or dealing with post-separational abuse.
Welcome ‘Friend of the SMBN’, Katie Phillips, The School of Self Love
The Empowered Feminine Approach To Dating When it comes to preparing midlife single women to be ready to receive their ‘one’ and enjoyContinue reading “Welcome ‘Friend of the SMBN’, Katie Phillips, The School of Self Love”
With gratitude to 2022 SMBN Awards Prize Sponsor – Something Wicked! Luxury High End Leather and Vegan Leather Lingerie… £250 voucher..
I am very grateful to our friends at Something Wicked, @wearewickeduk for being so generous as to offer a £250 voucher to one of our award winners this year! It is such a special night to treat the ladies who rarely come first, and we appreciate all the help we can get to make that happen!

Aaaaand, we’re off!
Aaaaand, we’re off!
The SMBN Single Mums Business Network 2022 Awards are officially OPEN for entries! Read more…
Welcome New Member – Michelle Forster, Founder of Tricord Solutions HR, to the SMBN
I am delighted to welcome Michelle Forster, Founder of Tricord Solutions HR, to the Single Mums Business Network. Here is what Michelle says:
Categories announced for the SMBN 2022 Awards…
Categories this year are:
Campaigner of the Year
Acing Adversity Award
Super Start-up
Community Champion
Excellence in Customer Care
Employer of the Year
SMBN Champion of the Year
Best Corporate Responsibility
Best Innovation Award
Best Business Marketing
Read more…
Welcome ‘Friend of the SMBN’, Charlotte Webb, Principle at Castle Green Financial Planning
I am delighted to officially welcome Charlotte to the SMBN as a ‘Friend’, being a friend of the SMBN means that you benefit from the exposure on-line and in print whilst supporting our quest to make work work as single parents. We appreciate every friend of the SMBN as, with their actions, they demonstrate they support our work and mission, whilst enabling us to support theirs. Here is a little about Charlotte:
Single Mums Business Magazine – Spring Edition 2022 Out Now!
Single Mums Business Magazine – Spring Edition 2022 Out Now!
Ruth and the Single Parent Rights Team are working hard to bring single parents employment experiences to politicians..
I have a lot of respect for the work Ruth does, to date alone and unfunded, to ensure that we do not faceContinue reading “Ruth and the Single Parent Rights Team are working hard to bring single parents employment experiences to politicians..”
Small Business – Big Difference! In this interview with Alison Cork we discuss how she champions female entrepreneurs, is passionate about healthy living, and how she has now launched a Viral Campaign for the UK Small Business Community to Donate £1 each to support Ukraine Appeal..
Just wow! You know that question that often pops up – if you could choose just a few people to have dinner with, well, Alison Cork would certainly be on my list, she is an absolute powerhouse, doer, thinker, entrepreneur and all round great lady to support, motivate, inspire, whilst knowing how to pull something out of the bag in an absolute humanitarian crisis to help us all so SOMETHING, when we may feel we can do nothing!