Response to the Autumn Budget 2025

The Budget highlights once again how central financial inclusion is to the resilience of households and to the strength of the wider economy. Several measures announced yesterday, including the continued freeze on tax thresholds and changes to dividend and savings taxation, will be felt unevenly across the population. For many low and modest-income households, these decisions will translate into tighter budgets and fewer opportunities to build financial security.

We welcome the abolition of the two-child limit, which represents a significant step towards reducing child poverty. But broader structural issues remain. Rising housing costs, inaccessible financial products, and widening gaps in digital capability continue to place pressure on those already most exposed to financial shocks. Ensuring that people can access affordable credit, flexible savings, and essential services must remain a priority if we want families and communities to stay financially resilient.

This is why the Government's newly announced Financial Inclusion Strategy is so important. The Budget underlines the need for a coherent, long-term plan that tackles persistent barriers, that embeds financial inclusion across policy and practice, and includes greater financial capability and resilience to income and expenditure shocks.

We believe the Strategy must set out and hold accountability for the systemic changes required: clearer delivery timelines, stronger commitments on inclusive design and digital access, and a renewed focus on providing the right safety nets for those most at risk.

— Sian Williams, Chair Financial Inclusion Commission

For further comment and engagement, please email Rachael@financialinclusioncommission.org.uk