Submission to the Comprehensive Spending Review Representation

Ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) 2020, the UK Women’s Budget Group has submitted our representation to HM Treasury.

You can read the full document here. 

Summary 

We welcome HM Treasury’s commitment to hearing the views of civil society ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR.) The current spending review takes place in uncertain circumstances: in the midst of a global pandemic with fears about a national ‘second wave’ circling. The Government has been quick to protect jobs and commit to investment as a way to stimulate the economy after coronavirus.

Yet, it is clear that the public health and economic crises from coronavirus collide with pre-existing crises in public services including the NHS, local government and social care which have been underfunded in recent years. The CSR must commit to rebuilding the economy in a way that builds our resilience to future shocks and addresses the problems that the virus has exposed and exacerbated. For this reason, our representation focuses on a new approach to the economy and to investment so that reform and refinancing of social infrastructure is put front and centre of a care-led recovery from coronavirus.

It is not just roads, rails and high-speed internet that get people to work and contribute to the economy, but health, social and childcare. Our submission focuses on the need for:

1. A care-led recovery from coronavirus which invests in social infrastructure. Our research finds that these investments are more effectives at creating jobs and therefore boosting tax revenue than the same investments in construction.
2. Reform of the social security system to protect millions from financial hardship and poverty, particularly as the CJRS and SEISS schemes are rolled back.
3. A commitment to to refinancing local government as an integral part of the ‘levelling up’ agenda.
4. A commitment to an annual spend of X on domestic abuse services to keep all women and girls safe from violence and abuse.
5. Meaningful equality impact assessments to be undertaken on all CSR proposals and a cross-departmental approach to securing equality.