Sheffield Green Councillors are calling for an Autumn Budget that provides people with real hope for the future when Chancellor Rachel Reeves presents her Budget on November 26th.
The call comes in a motion to Sheffield City Council at its full meeting on 5th November 2025.
Councillor Alexi Dimond, proposing the motion, said,
“Change was promised by the Labour Government but austerity continues. Public services remain underfunded, benefits for vulnerable people are under threat and millions continue to live in poverty. It doesn’t have to be this way.
“Rachel Reeves’ Budget on 26th November is a chance for the government to end austerity and address inequality.
“The Government needs to address child poverty by ending the two-child benefit cap and reinstate winter fuel payments for all pensioners.
“Our NHS and care system are underfunded and in crisis. They need to be properly resourced to provide adequate care for those who need it. We need to end private finance in the national health service so more public money will be spent on health rather than financing shareholder dividends.
“We need to tax wealth not work, by having a modest 1% tax on those with assets over £10 million and 2% tax on those with assets over a billion. Only a tiny minority would pay this tax but it will significantly address inequality.
“Asylum seekers should have the right to work restored with dignity, allowing them to use their time, skills and qualifications to earn income and contribute to the UK’s economic prosperity. Sweden, Portugal, Canada and Spain already allow Asylum Seekers to work. Why not the UK?
“Sheffield City Council doesn’t have to wait in hope of action by the Labour Government. There are positive things we can do locally to help address austerity.
“Millions of pounds can be raised to improve our public transport network by introducing a workplace parking levy on the city’s largest employers to generate more money for public transport, like Nottingham City Council have already done.
“We can improve the quality of our greenspaces for people to enjoy, whatever their income. Having a good quality local environment nearby is good for both physical and mental health. The Council can maximise the opportunities for nature recovery through building a pipeline of local Biodiversity Net Gain projects in underfunded green spaces.”
Councillor Douglas Johnson, who seconded the Green Party Motion, said,
“We’re calling on the Chancellor to invest in good quality council housing, with funding for repairs and new homes. The government needs to put its money where its mouth is and pay for the essential repairs needed to maintain council housing across the country. It needs to undo the decades of under-investment in our homes. Just as “Awaab’s law” comes into effect, the government needs to be serious about making sure no more children die of mould in damp homes.”
“At the same time, Sheffield City Council is doing its best to turn its housing around. One good way to raise income is to use all the rooftops in public ownership to generate solar power. The money raised would lower bills and raise more money for both tenants and for public services.”
