In the seaside town of Jaywick, Essex, one of Britain’s most economically challenged communities, residents say they are “absolutely delighted” with Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ latest Budget.
The Labour government has pledged an extra £16 billion a year in welfare spending, including the removal of the controversial two-child benefit cap, a move that has ignited both cheers and criticism across the country.
Life on the Edge in Jaywick
Life in Jaywick is far from easy. Around two-thirds of the town’s working-age population are economically inactive, whether unemployed, off sick, or not seeking work.
That figure dwarfs the national average of 39 per cent.
Housing prices lag too, with the average home valued at £175,636—less than two-thirds of the UK average.
Jason Fairbrother, 45, who has been out of work for a decade, summed up the frustration felt by many.
“Jaywick is forgotten. People don’t care about us. Hopefully this will help.
We’re just a part of the country people look down on—we’re not looked after,” he said.
Struggles and Hopes
Other locals echoed Jason’s view. Shakka Phipps, 62, works in a charity shop in nearby Clacton but avoids Jaywick if he can. “There’s no money, no investment.
They need to put more money into the town.
There’s always police, for trouble and fighting. There’s not much hope,” he said.
Alison Dilks, 32, sees the Budget changes as a lifeline.
With three children, she expects to be £900 a year better off without the two-child benefit cap.
“I’d love to work, but I’ve got three children. This is really good news,” she said.
The Local Economy and Joblessness
Unemployment remains a persistent issue.
One man, who asked to remain anonymous, explained how he struggled to find work after a previous career in construction ended. “There’s no jobs here.
I’ve got health problems too, so it’s hard. I claim benefits because I’m entitled, but people outside don’t understand what life is like here,” he said.
Shopkeeper Patricia Dennis, 45, shared her perspective on Jaywick’s working-age residents: “I’ve lived here all my life and I know not everyone has had the chance to work.
People are really happy with this Budget, especially mums.
Most have three or four children and this will help them a lot.”
A Nation Divided Over the Budget
While Jaywick residents welcome the changes, national polling tells a different story.
A YouGov survey found that 59 per cent of working Britons disapproved of the Budget, with only 11 per cent rating Reeves positively.
Policies like freezing tax thresholds, capping cash ISAs, and scrapping the two-child benefit cap were particularly unpopular outside deprived areas.
“Half the country thinks this will make their families worse off,” said the poll, with two-thirds expecting the UK’s economy to worsen in the coming year.
Tax and Welfare Controversies
The Chancellor’s Budget includes a £30 billion tax package, with higher taxes on the working population through measures like freezing the higher rate threshold.
At the same time, £3 billion per year is earmarked for scrapping the two-child cap, benefiting Britain’s largest jobless families.
Critics argue these policies reward inactivity while punishing ordinary workers.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch dubbed the announcement a “Benefits Street Budget,” referencing the Channel 4 series that highlighted life on welfare in Birmingham.
Residents from James Turner Street expressed mixed reactions.
Elise, a mother of four, said she felt unfairly taxed while others benefited from handouts, whereas Ikram Hassan, 34, welcomed the support for low-income families.
Labour’s Approach to Jobseekers
Labour is also experimenting with a softer approach for Universal Credit claimants.
Instead of requiring 35 hours per week seeking work, the government is trialling a system encouraging people to “take reasonable steps” toward employment.
New Jobcentres will feature trauma-informed spaces and calming, nature-inspired designs, with staff in approachable uniforms.
Tory critics have slammed this as enabling a “mass opt-out” from work, amid a growing crisis of inactivity: over eight million people claim Universal Credit, and four million receive benefits without mandatory work requirements.
What This Means Going Forward
For towns like Jaywick, Reeves’ Budget is a lifeline in communities that have long felt forgotten.
But nationally, the policies have split opinion, with many working Britons concerned about rising taxes and the long-term impact on the economy.
For the residents themselves, though, it is simple: any support is welcome, and in a town where opportunity is scarce, the extra handouts may provide a much-needed boost for families struggling to make ends meet.
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