It shouldn't take a crisis for the chancellor to support ordinary people | Carys Roberts

If it's possible to secure incomes due to coronavirus, why can't we help families who can't access healthy food?This was no ordinary Conservative budget - but these are not ordinary times. In his first budget since taking office a month ago, Rishi Sunak was ebullient as he stated that this government would spend and invest "what it takes" to drive productivity and growth, and "level up" the country. His plan to address the economic impacts of coronavirus was comprehensive, clear in its understanding of the nature of the threat, and included many commendable measures - from making it easier to access statutory sick pay and benefit payments, to helping small businesses cover sick pay costs, though the TUC has called for greater support for low-paid workers. Many of today's proposals could have come from a Labour chancellor.That said, in a budget proclaiming an intention to "get things done", there were some major omissions. Coronavirus may be the most immediate crisis facing the UK, but it is far from the only one: we face a climate emergency; our public services - especially those run by cash-strapped councils - are at breaking point; and for too many, the economy is not delivering security or hope. The chancellor's budget fell short of the mark on these. Continue reading...