For this week's Budget, we have put together three key Budget asks that would make a difference to the lives of men, boys and their families.

Chancellor must address Cost-of-LOVING crisis

The Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys is calling on Chancellor Healey to bring forward the VAT cut for some hospitality venues and not wait until next year to implement it, because the Cost-of-Loving Crisis is significantly harming young people.  16-19 year olds report the highest levels of loneliness, but a first date in London can easily cost well over £100, far outside their budgets.  

It would also support youth employment especially in moving NEETs into work. Increasing job opportunities for young people is vital.

Plus of course, for those those who are working on minimum wage means cost of dating is simply unsustainable, especially when many young people can't even afford to move from home.

‍Restore the Suicide Prevention Fund (SPGF)

The SPGF provided just £10 million for voluntary, community and social enterprise organisations that work to cut suicide rates, but was cut in Spring last year.  This had a negative impact on 79 organisations  delivering peer support, bereavement counselling, digital platforms, and outreach, leaving most facing closure or significant reduction in the services they could offer.

Fund school tea-time clubs

Children and working parents already derive great benefit from school breakfast clubs, and the addition of fully funded tea-time clubs would also have a significant positive impact.  Bridging the gap between the end of school and that of the working day, they would also offer children the chance to socialise as well as gaining extra nutrition at a time when many parents are struggling to feed their families.  They also offer an incentive for children to stay at school for the whole day, cutting absenteeism rates.

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