Latest news with #ChildPovertyStrategy
The National
21 hours ago
- Business
- The National
Victorian approach to welfare shames Labour
With more than seven million low-income families still going without essentials, the JRF's cost of living tracker shines the spotlight on just how acute this situation is for low-income families with three or more children, with almost nine in 10 going without the essentials, and the highest number of families in arrears or holding a loan for essentials since their tracking began. This is a terrible indictment of Keir Starmer's government – no progress, no change, the very opposite of what Labour promised. Indeed, what strikes me most is just how little has changed since they came into power – the SNP are still pushing the UK Government to scrap the two-child cap and implement a similar benefit to our transformational Scottish Child Payment; Westminster is still digging its heels in. READ MORE: Keir Starmer commits to recognising Palestinian state after intense pressure My former colleague Alison Thewliss was dogged in challenging the Tory government on the two-child cap; yet here we are under Labour, and the asks remain the same while the situation is getting worse. The JRF says their modelling does not include impacts of cuts to health-related elements of Universal Credit for future claimants currently working its way through parliament. Damning reports like this should focus minds ahead of the delayed publication of the Child Poverty Strategy, with its recommendation to get rid of the two-child cap and strengthen the foundations of the social settlement. But is the Government listening, are they reading these reports, are they paying attention to best practice elsewhere, i.e. in Scotland? (Image: PA) On paper Labour say they are – for instance, the secretaries of state for work and pensions, and for education, say in their foreword to the introduction ahead of this new strategy that there is a lot they can learn from action already taken in Scotland. But in the chamber, it's a whole other ball game. Not a week goes by that I don't think of that phrase 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones' while I'm sitting in the House of Commons listening to what seems to be a coordinated strategy by Labour to attack the Scottish Government in Holyrood at every available opportunity even when the focus is very much on their own failures at [[Westminster]]. That's politics I hear you say, but it's more than that. In fact, I'd go as far to say it's like a kind of 'blame shifting' to use psychological terminology. A perfect example comes from just a couple of weeks ago, when the Secretary of State for Scotland, Ian Murray MP, was answering questions in the chamber on the Government's Spending Review. My colleague, MP Stephen Gethins, challenged Murray on his party's failure to scrap the two-child cap only to be met with a defensive volley on the number of children that are homeless in Scotland. A little rudimentary digging on Shelter England's website and you can see that of course Murray failed to highlight that in England, there are 164,040 children living in temporary accommodation with their families, which is the highest number on record and represents a 15% increase in the last year alone. Additionally, there are 126,040 households in England experiencing homelessness in temporary accommodation, another record high and a 16% increase in 12 months. This is hardly a record to be proud of, and not a position of strength from which to point the finger at other governments. Fortunately, a decent amount of finger pointing has already been done by Labour's own MPs, with their welfare cuts described as 'Dickensian'. Those MPs have been punished subsequently, more blame shifting rather than addressing the key problem which is Labour's terrible policy decisions. And only one of them was a Scottish Labour MP, while the others continue to bow and scrape to Number 10. Even the UN has waded in to highlight how Labour's welfare cuts could threaten the human rights of disabled people. And this from a government led by a former human rights lawyer. It reminded me of the UN's comments on the Tory government's welfare policies, with the special rapporteur on extreme poverty describing 'workhouse' conditions and the 'systematic immiseration' of the British population thanks to austerity. Red or blue, it's the same old same old. Collaborating with Scotland on best practice on social security – not just with our Scottish Child Payment but with our efforts to reinstate the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners before Labour's major U-turn, and now our upcoming mitigation of the two-child cap – would change the narrative on Labour's Victorian approach to welfare. This would signal a more grown-up approach to politics than the current tribal mudslinging variety that Labour favours. Don't hold your breath. So, every time you hear a Labour MP, particularly the Scottish ones, have a poke at Scotland and the SNP Government at Holyrood, remember this coordinated blame shift. Because behind every snide and spurious comment about Scotland lies a truth that Labour can't deny – they're failing to make any progress, and fast. All the more reason for Scotland to be rid of Westminster for good.
The Herald Scotland
6 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Chancellor refuses comment on rape clause fairness
The two-child benefit cap, which came into effect in 2017, prevents households claiming child tax credit or universal credit from receiving support for a third or subsequent child born after 6 April that year. The so-called rape clause is the exemption within it for families in which the third child was conceived non-consensually. To claim that exemption, mothers must demonstrate eligibility by securing certification from approved third-party professionals such as health and social care practitioners. The Scottish Government has already announced it will put an end to the cap in March 2026 - weeks before the Holyrood election. The Chancellor of the Exchequer was quizzed on the policy during a visit to Rolls Royce in Inchinnan today. Asked by The Herald if she will do anything to tackle questions of fairness around the rape clause, the Chancellor said: 'We are going to be publishing the Child Poverty Strategy in the Autumn and so I'm not going to comment on what we might do in the budget later this year. 'Everyone can see that the financial position that we face is a challenging one with the trade uncertainty around the world, the higher costs of government borrowing.' READ MORE: Two-child benefit cap to end in Scotland from March 2026 The so-called rape clause is unworkable — here's the proof Pushed on whether or not she believed the policy was fair, Ms Reeves said: 'We will set out our policy around child poverty in the Autumn but we are already taking action. "Free school meals being rolled out to primary schools in England and Wales and then that feeding through to the Barnett Settlement in Scotland, the biggest settlement since devolution.' As part of a series in child poverty, The Herald heard from Children's charity Aberlour who warned that poverty levels will become unbearable if the cap is maintained. A recent study from University of Edinburgh's Dr Rebecca Hewer found health professionals tasked with approving the 'non-consensual conception' exemption lacked the training, clarity and confidence required. This has left survivors having to navigate a potentially traumatising and inconsistent system with little support, the report finds. The report concluded that the rape clause is unworkable and calls for its urgent repeal.
Cambrian News
23-07-2025
- Business
- Cambrian News
Baby Bundle plan remains 'priority' for Welsh Government
Dawn Bowden MS, Minister for Children and Social Care said: 'Providing a Baby Bundle will remove some of the financial pressure families face in the most deprived areas of Wales and help deliver against our Child Poverty Strategy commitment to reduce costs and maximise the income of families.'
Belfast Telegraph
02-06-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Families raising disabled children ‘being driven further into debt', reveals Cost of Caring report
In its Cost of Caring report, charity Family Fund said families struggled with additional costs for items such as specialist equipment, utilities, medical appointment travel, food and increased wear and tear on the home. Its survey of 2,362 families UK-wide included testimony from 266 families in Northern Ireland, including Belfast single parent Julie Ann, who has two daughters: Ella, who's five, has autism, and is in a specialist unit in a mainstream school, while Niamh is two. Julie Ann, who did not want to share her surname, is due to start a new job after having to give up her job of 18 years to care for Ella. She recently had to turn to Family Fund for help. She said: 'I was mentally drained from everything that was going on, and the pressure of having two children, and then Ella having complex needs. Ella only goes to school for four and a half hours a day... so I can only work certain hours. It took them six months to get her into her new school.' Julie Ann said her flexible-working request was declined and her nearest crèche didn't have availability. 'Ella doesn't have enough opportunities and I feel all this guilt,' the mum explained. 'Now my fridge-freezer is broken and I know I'm going to have to replace it. My washing machine is beeping every time it's on. It's working, but I'm guessing it's on its way out. Being a single parent, and then obviously with the two girls, the mortgage and everything else, it's a stretch.' Through Family Fund, however, she received a grant for a bed and the mattress and was 'absolutely delighted' because her own funds would not have stretched to cover the costs. She was able to move her two-year-old into Ella's old cot bed safely, with Ella using the new bed bought with the help of Family Fund. According to Family Fund, families are struggling with non-stop caring and are unable to afford essentials such as food and heating. Cheryl Ward CBE, Family Fund's chief executive, said: 'This report highlights stark findings, with no improvement since our 2022 surveys. 'As caring costs increase for families, barriers to paid work as a route out of poverty remain unchanged, including a lack of suitable childcare. 'Until these challenges are addressed, families raising disabled and seriously ill children can't escape the cycle of living in debt, going without essentials like food, clothing and furniture and experiencing poor mental health. 'We're supporting rising numbers of families each year with basic items like washing machines, beds, clothing and equipment. 'Parent carers are going to huge lengths to do the best for their children, regularly sacrificing their own wellbeing in the process. 'Families raising disabled children are at the sharpest edge of income instability. The Child Poverty Strategy provides an unmissable opportunity to listen to what families have to say and tackle the very real and pressing issues they face every day.' The charity, which gives essential grants and services to families on low incomes raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people, shared key findings: Benefits are not keeping pace with the cost of living The survey found that 44% of families raising a disabled child cannot meet day-to-day living costs, despite receiving disability benefits. And 87% of parents and carers have no savings at all, so can't replace essential items when they break, like a washing machine or bed. Caring is a barrier to work for most Just 7% of parent carers say they're able to work as much as they would like to, as a direct result of caring responsibilities. They provide the equivalent of an extra full-time unpaid caring role every single day, across personal care, supervision, medication, therapies and medical appointments. And 60% of parent carers said having no suitable childcare was a barrier to work, with one parent saying they had been on a waiting list for five years. Just over two-thirds (77%) of families who responded said they have multiple disabled or seriously ill members being cared for at home. Being unable to afford basic essentials Families are now living without the basics, with a resulting poorer quality of life. Over half of parents and carers (51%) continue to report skipping or cutting the size of their meals (down from 54% in 2022), 33% can't afford to keep their homes warm, 46% can't afford necessary dental treatment, 17% can't afford over-the-counter or prescription medicine for themselves, and 11% are unable to afford basic toiletries. Depleted mental and emotional health The stresses on parent carers have left over a quarter (28%) reporting probable clinical depression; 68% of children are negatively affected by their family's financial situation, which impacts on emotional wellbeing, health, development, or education; and 22% of families say they're unable to celebrate birthdays and festive occasions due to financial pressures. The charity said it gave over 200,000 grants and instances of support to families in 2024/25 compared to 150,000 last year.
Daily Mirror
01-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'I go to bed hungry so my children can eat - I feel like a failure'
Hundreds of thousands of parents and carers are going without food to ensure their children have enough to eat, a shocking new has found Half of all UK parents and carers of disabled and seriously ill children are so hard-up they are skipping meals and reducing their portion sizes so they can feed their kids, says a shocking new report. If essential items like beds and washing machines break, they cannot afford to replace them, as 87% have zero savings. The Cost of Caring 2025 report, released today by national charity Family Fund, also found that 41% of lone parent carers struggle to afford food and heating. One mum of four said: 'Last week, I literally had 41p in my bank.' The charity, which provides essential grants and services to low-income families raising disabled or seriously ill children or young people, surveyed 2,300 families for the report. It found that 46% of carers cannot afford necessary dental treatment, with respondents saying 68% of their children are negatively affected by the family's financial situation. With 33% of those surveyed too poor to keep their homes warm, 28% say they are clinically depressed and only 7% can work as much as they would like to, because of caring responsibilities. Now Family Fund, which gave more than 200,000 grants to families in 2024/25 compared to 150,000 the previous year, says the government must recognise the additional costs of disability when considering support for families. Calling on Keir Starmer to prioritise the wellbeing of carers, chief executive Cheryl Ward CBE says: 'As caring costs increase for families, barriers to paid work as a route out of poverty remain unchanged. 'We're supporting rising numbers of families each year with basic items like washing machines, beds, clothing and equipment. Parent carers are going to huge lengths to do the best for their children, regularly sacrificing their own wellbeing in the process. 'Families raising disabled children are at the sharpest edge of income instability. The Child Poverty Strategy provides an unmissable opportunity to listen to what families have to say and tackle the very real and pressing issues they face every day.' 'I can't remember the last time I ate an evening meal' Single mum to five children, including triplets with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities), Kimberly Robb also cares for her 74-year-old mum, Christine Robb, who has lung disease. A carer to five-year-olds Elsie, Addison and Emmy, Kimberley, 42, of Portsmouth, spends £200 a week on food for her family, which also includes daughter Tilly, 15, and son Owen, 20. 'I've had to put back essential items because we haven't got the money,' she tells The Mirror. 'We have a couple of weeks of the month where we don't have any money. My bills are paid and we've got a roof over our head and that's the main thing for me. 'But there are times, like last week, when I literally had 41p in my bank. I couldn't even afford to go and get a pint of milk. 'I skip meals. I don't have a meal at the end of the day. I can't remember the last time I had an evening meal because I think, 'Some of the kids can have that tomorrow.'" Born premature at 30 weeks, the triplets - who are all still in nappies - spent five weeks in NICU. Emmy is non-verbal autistic and has global development delay, together with challenging behaviours such as headbanging and attends a specialist school. Addison was diagnosed with autism, aged three, while Elsie has suspected autism spectrum disorder and anxiety, but is awaiting a diagnosis. Both attend mainstream school with 1:1 support, but the Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) the school is trying to get for Elsie may not be possible under new government proposals. Until last month, Kimberly was a hotel manager, and her parents helped out. But her mum's lung disease diagnosis changed everything and made it impossible for her to work. She explains: 'Mum can't get up the stairs anymore. She only leaves the house for medical appointments. I take her and keep her company because she gets lonely now she doesn't go out. 'Raising triplets is full-on and expensive - even more so when they have disabilities - and it's very hard to split yourself in three. 'When they were born, it was three cots, a triple buggy. Now that they are older it's things like three pairs of shoes, three lots of school uniform. Having three children with SEND has definitely impacted my mental health, too. I feel lonely and isolated. I want to be able to give my kids everything they need and I can't.' Kimberly has applied for respite for Emmy – but there is a waiting list until next year. Luckily, Family Fund have provided a climbing frame and trampoline for the children. 'It's a massive help for us, for the six week summer holidays, with not having a lot of money," says Kimberly. Kimberly's monthly costs Salary: £2,000 (includes child benefit) Emmy's DLA: £480 (a lot gets spent on bedding as this gets soiled or destroyed) Total: £2,480 Food: £800 Electricity and gas: £220 Sensory toys/equipment: £200 Water: Approximately £100 Clothes: £150 a month Nappies: £100 a month Total: £2,420 'I go to bed hungry so my children can eat - I feel like a failure' Skipping evening meals has become normal for single mum Julia Davies, who has a grown-up daughter, a son and a teenager with complex needs. She lives in Barry, South Wales, with Iestyn, 12, and Carys, 16, who has drug-resistant epilepsy, learning disabilities and is awaiting an autism diagnosis. Although Julia works full-time in a specialist school, she struggles financially. 'I work full time, but I live on pennies a lot of the time. There isn't enough money coming in and we are barely surviving," says Julia, whose 23-year-old daughter lives nearby. 'The bills keep adding up. I've been without an oven for six months because I can't afford to buy one. We went two months without a washing machine and had to use the laundrette and we haven't had a car for a year, which makes it hard to get to medical appointments. 'The heating is on constantly because Carys can't get cold, as it makes her ache. It's a never-ending vicious cycle.' As well as skipping evening meals, she sometimes struggles to put together a packed lunch to take to work. 'It's really difficult to afford the food we need,' she says. 'I plan and budget for all our meals. But the children are hungry when they come home from school and fix themselves a sandwich or grab a piece of fruit. I don't want them going hungry or worrying, so I go without. 'In the evening, the kids usually have beans on toast or pasta with tomato sauce. Or they have 'what ifs' - which means if it's in the house, it's in the pot. They eat whatever needs using up. 'I have to make sure the kids are eating, because they are growing. I don't have a proper evening meal – I can get by with a piece of toast and go to bed. 'My weekly food bill used to be £85 a few years ago, but now, if it's £150 it's a good week,' says Julia, who also has a number of loans and credit card debts. 'I'm always thinking, 'Where can I make cuts? Where can I find the extra money?' 'I shouldn't be getting into debt to feed my children. My kids go to bed every night with full bellies and knowing their worth, but I still feel like a failure. I want to be able to give them the things they desperately want, but I can't because then we wouldn't eat for the week.' Unable to save, Julia doesn't qualify for carers' allowance because she works. Fortunately, Family Fund bought her a dining table, so she can do arts and crafts with Carys, and gave them vouchers for a couple of days' holiday. 'It meant the world to us to have a few days of normality,' she says. But, where the government is concerned, Julia adds: 'Families like mine are not seen.' Julia's monthly costs Salary: £1,580 Universal credit: £1,568 Child benefit: £173 TOTAL: £3,879 Rent: £850 Transport: Approx £150 Food: £600 Gas and electricity: £200 Council tax: £145 Water: £55 Loans: £900 Credit cards: £300 Phones: £100 TV/Broadband: £75 School dinners: £50 Fidgets, art and crafts: £50 Clothes: £100 Miscellaneous: £250
