JPIT's response to the Spring Statement can be found here. Plus podcast episode particularly highlighting the impact of these changes for people receiving benefits here.
Oxford Anglican Diocese response to Benefit Cuts from The Revd Kt Tupling, Diocesan Disability Advisor - Listen on their SoundCloud channel.
New report sets out roadmap to lift millions of children out of poverty - As the government prepares its Child Poverty Strategy, new research from the Methodist-linked charity Action for Children sets out how it could halve the child poverty rate in the long-term. With 4.3 million children currently in poverty in the UK, and predictions that a further 400,000 children will be pulled into poverty by the end of the decade, ambitious policy interventions are needed. These include supporting incomes through the social security system, improving opportunities for income from employment, and reducing household costs. Read the report here. Sign the open letter here.
The Latest Newsletter from Turn2us - Read the latest newsletter from Turn2us,a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. It includes useful info about the key benefit updates, including changes to Universal Credit and PIP. Read more here.
Help Shape Better Policies for Mental Health & Money - If you are struggling with mental health and money issues, your experience can help drive real change at the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute charity founded by the money saving expert Martin Lewis. The charity is seeking feedback from people with lived experience struggling with both mental health and financial issues to improve policies that make a difference. You can find out more and share your story here.
MK Money Lifeline are celebrating 25 years of giving free face to face debt advice. Well done to Ian Anderson who set up the centre. Find out more about them here.
The Great Cereal Topple', a donation drive to help boost much needed stock for MK Food Bank! MK Food Bank invite you to take part in their exciting new campaign to collect much-needed cereal for food parcels. "Inspired by students at Ousedale Secondary School—who created an incredible cereal domino topple around their Sixth Form area while gathering a huge donation—we want to see even more people get involved! We aim to collect around 10,000 boxes of Cereal, to support our ongoing vital work in the community – making sure that families across Milton Keynes can have a proper breakfast and a good start to their day!" Find out more about how to get involved here.
MK Food Bank has relocated to a temporary warehouse and will continue to serve our community during this time, food parcels will be distributed to all their serving centres. Their temporary address is M&M Supplies PLC, First Avenue, Denbigh West Industrial Estate, Bletchley, MK1 1DX
Vital Signs Report 2025 - This year’s Vital Signs MK report from MK Community Foundation examines how the social landscape of Milton Keynes has changed since their report in 2020 – highlighting the pandemic’s enduring effects, rising cost-of-living pressures, and the ever-growing needs observed from local charities and community organisations. This year they report on four areas of Vital Signs: Crime & Safety; Poverty and Disadvantage; Work; Arts and Heritage. Read Vital Signs MK 2025 here
Baby Basics MK are moving. To facilitate the move, they will be closed for referrals and donations from Thursday 20th March until after the Easter holidays on Tuesday 22nd April. If they are able to accept donations at any point during the Easter holidays they will post on their facebook page.
Citizens Advice Milton Keynes left their premises at Acorn House in CMK at the end of March 2025. Their new offices won’t open until May and they’re in the process of relocating their staff and volunteers. If you need help contact them via phone or email – see their website for contact details. Do not attend Acorn House in person.
