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17/01/2013
Benefits Squeeze Could Lead To More Child Poverty
Some 200,000 more children could be pushed into poverty due to cuts applied tax credits and child benefits, the government has admitted.
The figure of 200,000 comes from a government decision to increase in-work and out-of-work benefits by just 1% over the next three years rather than increasing them in line with inflation.
Before now ministers had avoided commenting on the possible impact this would have on child poverty – an official government measure that looks at the number of households with incomes at 60% or below the national average.
However in response to a parliamentary question, work and pensions minister Esther McVey estimated that "the uprating measures in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 will result in around an extra 200,000 children being deemed by this measure to be in relative income poverty compared to uprating benefits by CPI [consumer price index]".
Labour, long critical of the benefit squeeze, have attacked the government saying the figures showed how children were the victims of “political games”.
The Guardian reported shadow chancellor Ed Balls as saying: "The true character of this Conservative-led government has now been exposed. While they give the richest 2% of earners a £3bn tax cut, 200,000 children will be pushed into poverty and millions of working families made worse off.
"Ministers have spent weeks refusing to admit what the impact of their policies would be on child poverty and now we know why. Children are paying the price for David Cameron and George Osborne's economic failure and the political games they have decided to play."
(H)
The figure of 200,000 comes from a government decision to increase in-work and out-of-work benefits by just 1% over the next three years rather than increasing them in line with inflation.
Before now ministers had avoided commenting on the possible impact this would have on child poverty – an official government measure that looks at the number of households with incomes at 60% or below the national average.
However in response to a parliamentary question, work and pensions minister Esther McVey estimated that "the uprating measures in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2015-16 will result in around an extra 200,000 children being deemed by this measure to be in relative income poverty compared to uprating benefits by CPI [consumer price index]".
Labour, long critical of the benefit squeeze, have attacked the government saying the figures showed how children were the victims of “political games”.
The Guardian reported shadow chancellor Ed Balls as saying: "The true character of this Conservative-led government has now been exposed. While they give the richest 2% of earners a £3bn tax cut, 200,000 children will be pushed into poverty and millions of working families made worse off.
"Ministers have spent weeks refusing to admit what the impact of their policies would be on child poverty and now we know why. Children are paying the price for David Cameron and George Osborne's economic failure and the political games they have decided to play."
(H)
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03 February 2005
Mandela addresses anti-poverty rally in London
Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, has told the crowds at an anti-poverty rally in London that the fight against poverty was as important as the fight against slavery.
Mandela addresses anti-poverty rally in London
Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, has told the crowds at an anti-poverty rally in London that the fight against poverty was as important as the fight against slavery.
14 June 2012
2% Fall In Child Poverty Figures
New official figures have revealed that the number of children living in poverty in the UK fell by 300,000 last year. Figures for 2010/11, show that 2.3 million children (18%) lived in households classed as below the poverty line, a 2% decrease on the previous year. The numbers are based on median incomes, which also went down in the same period.
2% Fall In Child Poverty Figures
New official figures have revealed that the number of children living in poverty in the UK fell by 300,000 last year. Figures for 2010/11, show that 2.3 million children (18%) lived in households classed as below the poverty line, a 2% decrease on the previous year. The numbers are based on median incomes, which also went down in the same period.
19 June 2007
More than a million children affected by 'severe poverty'
Nearly 1.3 million children are living in severe poverty in the UK, a report by Save the Children has revealed. The charity said that around one in ten children in the UK are now living in families where the income is so low that children are living without essentials like a proper diet or heating in the home.
More than a million children affected by 'severe poverty'
Nearly 1.3 million children are living in severe poverty in the UK, a report by Save the Children has revealed. The charity said that around one in ten children in the UK are now living in families where the income is so low that children are living without essentials like a proper diet or heating in the home.
23 January 2012
Benefits Cap Provokes Lib Dem Split
A major figure in the Liberal Democrats is leading a major rift within the party over plans to implement a cap on benefit payments. Paddy Ashdown is leading the inter-party rebellion against the cuts, which would see a maximum level of claimable household benefits set at the average take-home wage of £26,000.
Benefits Cap Provokes Lib Dem Split
A major figure in the Liberal Democrats is leading a major rift within the party over plans to implement a cap on benefit payments. Paddy Ashdown is leading the inter-party rebellion against the cuts, which would see a maximum level of claimable household benefits set at the average take-home wage of £26,000.
06 April 2005
Campaigns over 'peanuts' benefits launched
Anti-poverty campaigners have handed out peanuts at protests across Britain, in order to highlight what they term as the "miserly" benefit increases facing millions of claimants.
Campaigns over 'peanuts' benefits launched
Anti-poverty campaigners have handed out peanuts at protests across Britain, in order to highlight what they term as the "miserly" benefit increases facing millions of claimants.
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