logo
Starmer's welfare cuts will see 340,000 more people in poverty than previously predicted, charity warns

Starmer's welfare cuts will see 340,000 more people in poverty than previously predicted, charity warns

Independenta day ago

The impacts of the government's welfare cuts are likely to push tens of thousands more people into poverty than previously predicted, a major foodbank charity has warned.
Trussell said 340,000 more people in disabled households could face hunger and hardship by the end of the decade.
It comes as more than 150 Labour MPs expressed concern over the plans last month, which include a tightening of the eligibility criteria for personal independence payment (Pip) – the main disability benefit in England – and cutting the sickness-related element of universal credit (UC).
The proposals also include delaying access to the health element of UC to those aged 22 and over, with the aim of reinvesting savings to support young people into work or training.
The package of measures is aimed at reducing the number of working-age people on sickness benefits, and the government hopes they can save £5bn a year by the end of the decade.
But it is understood that the plans sparked growing upset among both parliamentary private secretaries (PPSs) and even government ministers, who were said to be considering quitting if the government failed to water down its proposals.
A government impact assessment published alongside the reforms warned some 250,000 people – including 50,000 children – across England, Scotland and Wales could fall into relative poverty after housing costs as a result of the changes.
But Trussell said the impact is likely to be worse, with its report, based on analysis it commissioned by public policy experts WPI Economics, claiming that overall some 440,000 people in disabled households will be forced into severe hardship and at risk of needing a food bank in 2029/30, if the reforms go ahead.
A planned rise in the basic rate UC in 2029 should lift around 95,000 people out of severe hardship, Trussell said, leaving the total number affected closer to the 340,000 figure – once rounding of numbers and any movement of the poverty line in future years is accounted for.
Trussell said its report's calculations are based on the Social Metrics Commission's definition of severe hardship as being when people are more than 25 per cent below the poverty line, saying this captures both people who are likely to need to turn to a food bank now and those at high risk of needing support from one in future.
Helen Barnard, director of policy at Trussell, said the calculations they have come to present a worse picture than previously thought, 'because we have looked at how many people are going to be pulled, not just into overall poverty but into the severest form of hardship'.
She added: 'That's important because the lower your income, the worse your hardship, the more damage it does. So the more likely you are to not be able to afford essentials like food, the worse the impact on your health, on your prospects.
'So the amount of damage that's being done is even worse than the Government's impact assessment suggested.'
She said while Trussell supports the government's aim to reform employment support and help more people into work, 'these proposed cuts will utterly undermine this goal', adding: 'Slashing support will damage people's health and reduce their ability to engage in training and work.'
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation backed Trussell's calls for the government to rethink the disability benefit cuts, saying: 'This analysis shows they are likely to create more deep poverty and hardship than even the bleak forecast from the Government's own limited assessments.'
Trussell is also calling on the government to bring forward the planned increase to the basic rate of Universal Credit so it comes into full effect from April 2026, instead of waiting until April 2029.
It comes after more than 100 MPs – understood to comprise primarily those who won their seats for the first time in 2024 – last month signed a letter to the chief whip warning that they are unable to support the proposals in their current form.
It is understood that a separate letter signed by around 40 MPs was sent to Sir Keir just days earlier, warning against proceeding with the changes in their full form.
A government spokesperson said: 'This government is determined to change people's lives for the better, helping them out of poverty and tackling the unacceptable rise in food bank dependence in recent years.
'We will never compromise on protecting people who need our support, and our reforms will mean the social security system will always be there for those who will never be able to work, and that their income is protected.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Virgin Media is giving away FREE Apple gadget worth £439 – but there's only one day left to claim
Virgin Media is giving away FREE Apple gadget worth £439 – but there's only one day left to claim

The Sun

time14 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Virgin Media is giving away FREE Apple gadget worth £439 – but there's only one day left to claim

VIRGIN Media is offering new customers a free Apple gadget worth £439 if they sign up in the next 24hours. The network provider is handing out space grey 9th Gen iPads with 64GB worth of storage when they sign onto an 18-month MegaVolt package. But there's only one day left to claim while stocks last, as Virgin Media plans to wind down the offer on 11 June. For £88.99 per month, consumers can sign onto the MegaVolt package, which offers both telly and broadband perks. You can even get access to Netflix standard with ads, Sky Sports HD and Sky Cinema HD - plus another subscription service of your choosing for six months. Here's a breakdown of what the MegaVolt package includes: 1130Mbps speed broadband Wi-Fi guarantee of 30Mbps in every room or £100 back More than 240 TV channels and subscription services - including Netflix standard with ads, Sky Sports HD and Sky Cinema HD A 250GB O2 SIM with up to 25GB of data roaming A Hub 5 router and customers can choose a subscription service (Disney+, McAffee, Amazon Prime Video or Audible) for 6 months at no extra cost. Virgin Media began the offer in March. The network provider has a track record of throwing in high-value tech freebies with its broadband and TV packages. Customers that refer a friend or family member to Virgin Media or VMO2 can pocket a £70 referral fee - a £20 boost on the standard £50 referral. This covers both broadband and phone contracts. You're throwing away money on Netflix – I found three common mistakes sending your bill soaring but the fixes are easy The discounts on Virgin Media's standalone broadband packages have also changed. Prices now start at £25.99 per month - down from £54 - on an 18-month term for 125Mbps. They jump to £36.99 for 1Gbps contracts, which is still better than the usual £78. The provider's top 2Gbps package is currently still £69.99 - which increases to £84 after 18-months. Always do your own research before making any purchases.

Sky launches brand new £6 a month TV service TODAY in tempting bid to make Q box owners switch
Sky launches brand new £6 a month TV service TODAY in tempting bid to make Q box owners switch

The Sun

time14 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Sky launches brand new £6 a month TV service TODAY in tempting bid to make Q box owners switch

SKY is launching a brand new service from today, and it will set entertainment fans back by just £6. TV lovers can now get their hands on a brand new TV set for just 20p a day, as the broadcasting giant launches Sky Glass Air. The new TV can be purchased via a 48 month interest free loan, as the broadcaster aims to tempt Sky Q users to make the switch. 2 2 The cheapest package available with the new TV is Sky Essential TV, which comes with 100 channels, including Sky Atlantic, and Netflix and Discovery+, all for just £15. Combined, for £21 per month, viewers are effectively paying less than 70p per day for the TV and service. Unlike Sky Q, which is currently being phased out, Sky Glass Air relies on internet connection to beam TV channels to your home, instead of a satellite dish. This means that installation for the new TV service will be simple, as you won't have to get an engineer to come round and start drilling through your walls. Sky Glass was launched back in 2019, but users were unimpressed with the thick built in Soundbar. The broadcaster hopes that the thinner soundbar on the Sky Glass Air will tempt more Sky Q users to make the switch. The new TV, which goes on sale today, June 10, comes in three colours - Sea Green, Carbon Grey, and Cotton White. There are three different sizes, 43 inches (from £6 a month), 55-inches (from £10 a month), and 65 inches (from £13 a month). "With Sky Glass Air, we're bringing the Sky experience to more people through a beautifully designed TV with stunning picture quality from just £6 a month," said Carli Kerr, MD of Sky TV & NOW. Sky Offers Free Movie Gift and More "It's all about giving people better for less: more choice, great tech, and the content they love, without compromising on quality. "From the ultimate performance of Glass Gen 2 to the incredible value of Air, there's now a Sky Glass to suit everyone, whether you're new to Sky or already with us." Customers can also choose to pay for the TV set outright if they wish, with the 43 inch model costing £309, and the 55 inch set costing £509. The 65 inch TV is priced at £649. What are Sky's early termination fees? SKY TV customers will incur an early termination fee if they choose to cancel their contract before the end of the agreed minimum term. The amount you're charged depends on: How long is left of your minimum term from the date your subscriptions end, calculated in days The days you have already been billed for in advance The products you subscribe to, the price you pay for them and when your subscriptions end For Sky TV, early termination charges range from £14.00 to £42.89 per month, depending on the specific package. For instance, if you cancel a standard Sky TV package priced at £33.82 per month with 12 months remaining on a 24-month contract, you would be required to pay the remaining 12 months' fees in one lump sum. This would result in a total early termination fee of £405.84. Entertainment fans can also upgrade to to Sky Ultimate TV for an extra £7 per month, which gives viewers access to Sky Max, Sky Comedy, Sky Documentaries, Sky Crime, Sky History, Sky Showcase and more. Sky revealed that 90% of new users opt for Sky Glass or Sky Stream, but it is struggling to win over Sky Q fans. Paolo Pescatore, an expert for PP Foresight, told The Sun: "The majority of its existing subscribers are still on the tried and trusted Sky Q platform which relies on a satellite dish. "Converting this base is taking the company much longer than it originally expected." One thing that Sky Q customers are not convinced by is the way recordings work, as Sky Glass Air saves everything to the cloud, meaning you can't rely on recordings during rare TV outages. However the expert added that the new affordable model should "strongly resonate with customers".

M&S resumes limited online sales after ransomware attack
M&S resumes limited online sales after ransomware attack

Sky News

time29 minutes ago

  • Sky News

M&S resumes limited online sales after ransomware attack

Marks & Spencer (M&S) has resumed some online clothes orders six weeks after a damaging cyberattack that the retailer has warned will cost it hundreds of millions of pounds. "Select fashion ranges" are available again for the first time in 46 days for customers across Britain. M&S said that people in Northern Ireland were still missing out as its online operations got back in gear. Ransomware hackers broke into its systems in April by tricking employees at a third-party contractor, skirting its digital defences, according to the company. "We are bringing back online shopping this week," said John Lyttle, managing director of fashion, home and beauty. "A selection of our best-selling fashion ranges will be available for home delivery to England, Scotland and Wales. "More of our fashion, home and beauty products will be added every day and we will resume deliveries to Northern Ireland and Click and Collect in the coming weeks." M&S stopped taking clothing and home orders through its website and app on 25 April. Three days earlier, it said it was managing a "cyber incident", with problems for its contactless pay and click and collect services over the Easter holiday weekend. Last month, M&S said it expected online disruption to continue into July and forecast the attack would cost it £300m. However, it expected insurance would cover some of those losses. The company has refused to say if it has paid any ransom to the hackers.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store