Economic Empowerment (Neutral to Positive)
While the Budget’s National Living Wage increase could support Black workers in lower-income brackets, the absence of specific funding or initiatives for Black-owned businesses limits the potential impact on economic empowerment for Black communities. More on the Budget’s approach can be found in the Autumn Budget 2024 Report (Source: Autumn Budget 2024 Report, Page 3)
Health (Mixed Impact)
Increased NHS funding aims to reduce waiting times, but without targeted interventions for racial health disparities, this measure is unlikely to significantly address systemic health inequities faced by Black Britons. Further details on the health budget allocations are in the Autumn Budget 2024 Report (Source: Autumn Budget 2024 Report, Page 4).
Education (Positive)
The Budget includes new funding to hire teachers and increase school resources, which could support Black students in underserved areas if equitably distributed. However, it falls short of introducing curriculum reforms that would ensure Black perspectives are represented. Educational funding specifics are available in the Autumn Budget 2024 Report (Source: Autumn Budget 2024 Report, Page 4).
Justice (Neutral)
Allocating funds for additional prison spaces does little to address the justice reforms needed to reduce the overrepresentation of Black individuals in the system. Community safety initiatives are included but need broader justice reform measures that align with the Mandate’s goals. For more, see the Autumn Budget 2024 Report (Source: Autumn Budget 2024 Report, Page 4).
Accountability and Fiscal Transparency (Neutral)
While the Budget introduces a new fiscal transparency framework, it lacks specific accountability measures for racial equity within public services. The Black Britain Mandate emphasises accountability for race equity, which remains unaddressed. Budget transparency measures are further detailed in the Autumn Budget 2024 Report (Source: Autumn Budget 2024 Report, Page 2).
Summary:
The UK Autumn Budget 2024 makes some general improvements that may indirectly benefit Black Britons, such as increased wages and healthcare funding. However, it lacks targeted funding and initiatives that address the specific needs of Black communities in economic empowerment, health equity, education reform, and justice. Bridging these gaps with policies and funding dedicated to racial equity would better align the Budget with the Black Britain Mandate’s vision for structural change.
