ESRI: First progressive budget in years

The suspension of water charges helped make October budget of spending rises and mild tax cuts the first for a number of years that “had a progressive flavour” benefiting the lowest income group, the ESRI has found.

Other measures that were not directly linked to the budget package but which helped boost those on low incomes included increases in rent supplements, which had been cut during the deep austerity years from 2011, the study found.

Increases in welfare payments, which had been frozen for a number of years, also played a substantial part in boosting the lowest-income group.