Latest news with #EndChildPoverty
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Benefit cap punishing poor children, study says
A charity has said the two-child benefit cap is "punishing" poorer children, as new figures on child poverty rates in the UK were revealed. Research by Loughborough University suggested 31% of children in north-east England were in relative poverty - in line with the UK average - but that rose to 52% in Middlesbrough and Thornaby East and 43% in Newcastle Central and West. The North East Child Poverty Commission said government pledges to deliver ambitious plans to reduce child poverty must be be turned into real action. The Department of Work and Pensions, which has been contacted for comment, is expected to announce its decision on the cap in autumn. The two-child cap prevents most families claiming means-tested benefits for any third or additional children born after April 2017. Researchers working on the study, commissioned by the End Child Poverty coalition, found child poverty rates across the UK were "directly and strongly correlated" with the percentage of children affected by the two-child limit in that local area. The Loughborough study concluded: "While the benefit cap can affect all out-of-work households, the two-child limit specifically targets larger families. "It is widely acknowledged that many households are living below the poverty line as a direct consequence of the policy, a high proportion of whom are already in work, with limited scope to increase their incomes. "Research by Child Poverty Action Group indicates that removing the policy would lift 350,000 children out of poverty, while reducing the depth of poverty for a further 700,000 children, at a cost of £2 billion." The research findings were localised based on parliamentary constituencies, with a number of North East areas, including Easington and Bishop Auckland, showing 33% of children in relative poverty. Leigh Elliott, from Children North East, said these families were being "punished" by cap. "We see the terrible, limiting impact of this every single day on the children and families we work with across the region," she said. Meanwhile, Tracey Herrington from Thrive Teesside said: "Year on year, we bear witness to the rising numbers of children being pulled into poverty through no fault of their own. "Policies – like the two-child limit – that are actively causing damage, hardship and even destitution." Last week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was looking into scrapping the cap, but warned it would "cost a lot of money". It comes after the the government's child poverty strategy, which had been due for publication in the spring, was delayed. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Ministers considering scrapping two-child benefit cap Government delays publication of child poverty strategy Steep rise in North East child poverty levels Local Child Poverty Statistics - End Child Poverty
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
North-East charity says two-child benefit cap 'punishes' families
A charity has said the two-child benefit cap is "punishing" poorer children, as new figures on child poverty rates in the UK were by Loughborough University suggested 31% of children in north-east England were in relative poverty - in line with the UK average - but that rose to 52% in Middlesbrough and Thornaby East and 43% in Newcastle Central and North East Child Poverty Commission said government pledges to deliver ambitious plans to reduce child poverty must be be turned into real Department of Work and Pensions, which has been contacted for comment, is expected to announce its decision on the cap in autumn. The two-child cap prevents most families claiming means-tested benefits for any third or additional children born after April working on the study, commissioned by the End Child Poverty coalition, found child poverty rates across the UK were "directly and strongly correlated" with the percentage of children affected by the two-child limit in that local Loughborough study concluded: "While the benefit cap can affect all out-of-work households, the two-child limit specifically targets larger families."It is widely acknowledged that many households are living below the poverty line as a direct consequence of the policy, a high proportion of whom are already in work, with limited scope to increase their incomes."Research by Child Poverty Action Group indicates that removing the policy would lift 350,000 children out of poverty, while reducing the depth of poverty for a further 700,000 children, at a cost of £2 billion." 'Causing damage' The research findings were localised based on parliamentary constituencies, with a number of North East areas, including Easington and Bishop Auckland, showing 33% of children in relative Elliott, from Children North East, said these families were being "punished" by cap."We see the terrible, limiting impact of this every single day on the children and families we work with across the region," she Tracey Herrington from Thrive Teesside said: "Year on year, we bear witness to the rising numbers of children being pulled into poverty through no fault of their own."Policies – like the two-child limit – that are actively causing damage, hardship and even destitution."Last week, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the government was looking into scrapping the cap, but warned it would "cost a lot of money".It comes after the the government's child poverty strategy, which had been due for publication in the spring, was delayed. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
The Guardian
27-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Record 4.5m children living in poverty, UK data shows
A record 4.5 million children are living in poverty in the UK, according to official statistics. The data, released on Thursday, shows that a further 100,000 children were living below the breadline in the year to April 2024 – the full final year of the Conservative government. There was also a rise in the number of children experiencing food insecurity – meaning their families could not feed them regularly – and those in households relying on food banks. Campaigners warned poverty could increase even further under Labour unless it axed the two-child benefit cap in its child poverty strategy, expected in June. The party's manifesto also promised to cut food bank reliance. Alison Garnham, the chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group and vice-chair of End Child Poverty, said: 'Today's grim statistics are a stark warning that the government's own commitment to reduce child poverty will crash and burn unless it takes urgent action. 'The government's child poverty strategy must invest in children's life chances, starting by scrapping the two-child limit. Record levels of kids living in poverty isn't the change people voted for.' The government revealed on Wednesday that its cuts to disability and incapacity benefits would push 50,000 children into poverty by the end of the decade, and 200,000 disabled adults. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion More details soon …
