Finding your path through the recent Autumn budget. Can you find your way?

What does the Autumn Budget mean for Community Groups inNewham?

If you run a community group in Newham, you might be wondering what the Autumn Budget means for you. Will it help the people you work with? And will your group have enough money to keep doing the work?

There is some welcome news. The government is putting more money into tackling rough sleeping and preventing violence against women and girls. The minimum wage is also going up. Here’s what stood out to us at Compost London.

Staff pay is going up

From 1 April 2027, the legal minimum wage for workers aged 21 and over will rise by 50p to £13.21 an hour. Rates for younger workers and eligible apprentices will go up too. The London Living Wage is a separate rate that employers can choose to pay. If your group pays it, use the London rate when you plan next year’s budget. The London rate is £14.80.

Higher pay is good news for staff. The difficult bit for many small groups is finding the money to cover it. Pro Bono Economics (PBE)and Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) Bank point out that grants and contracts often stay the same even when costs go up. Think of a group that runs two advice sessions a week. If its grant stays the same but it costs more to pay staff and hire a room, how long can it keep both sessions going?

Where could the extra money help?

People sleeping rough. The government has announced an extra £432 million over two years to help people move off the streets and get the support they need to stay housed. We’re waiting to hear how much will come to Newham and how local groups can be involved.

Women and girls. The government is putting £55million over two years into work to tackle violence against women and girls. A separate £15 million will help bring in more funding for work to prevent harmful attitudes towards women and girls. Local groups know what can make it hard for someone to ask for help, especially if they need support in their own language or are unsure who to trust. Their experience should help shape how this money is spent.

Community spaces. There is £65 million to help communities take ownership of places such as buildings at risk of closing. This is great news for organisations like ReinsTate and Power to Prosper Newham. More details are expected in early 2027. If your group needs a space of its own, it’s worth keeping an eye on this and thinking about what it would cost to heat, insure and look after a building.

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A few recommendations

If you run a local group in Newham, here are four things youcan do as you plan for next year.

Check what it will cost to keep going. Look at staff pay, room hire and other bills. Will your grants and contracts cover those costs?
Talk to your funder early if you’re short of money. Explain how much more you need and what it would mean for the people you support. For example, would you have to run one drop-in a week instead of two?
Ask Compost London or another local support organisation for help. We can help you look at your budget, explore funding options or meet other groups facing similar issues.
Speak to your neighbourhood manager and local councillor. Tell them what people in your area need and how your group could help. You can call or email your neighbourhood team below and ask to speak to the manager. Find your local councillor on Newham Council’s website.

Who to contact in your neighbourhood

Neighbourhood

Phone

Beckton and Royal Docks

020 3373 0853

CN.BecktonRoyalDocks@newham.gov.uk

Custom House and Canning Town

020 3373 0854

CN.CustomHouseCanningTown@newham.gov.uk

East Ham

020 3373 0827

CN.Eastham@newham.gov.uk