Mark Whitehead 23 June 2017

Benefit cap for lone parents with toddlers is 'unlawful'

The government’s cap on benefits lone parents with children under two can receive has been dismissed by a high court judge as unlawful and discriminatory.

Mr Justice Collins said the policy had inflicted ‘real damage’ on families and warned that ‘real misery is being caused to no good purpose.’

The cap, which limits the total amount households can receive in benefits to £20,000 a year or £23,000 in Greater London, was meant to be an incentive to persuade unemployed people to find work.

But the judge ruled that lone parents with children under two did not qualify for free childcare and so would find it difficult and often impossible to juggle working the minimum 16 hours a week required to evade the cap while finding means to care for the child.

He said: ‘The evidence shows that the cap is capable of real damage to individuals such as the claimants.

‘They are not workshy but find it, because of the care difficulties, impossible to comply with the work requirement.’ Rebekah Carrier, the solicitor acting on behalf of the families who launched the judicial review, said: ‘Single mothers like my clients have been forced into homelessness and reliance on food banks as a result of the benefit cap.

‘Thousands of children have been forced into poverty, which has severe long-term effects on their health and wellbeing.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Standards, Compliance and Development Manager - Children’s residential provisions

Oxfordshire County Council
£57187.00 - £60485.00
This role will lead on Quality Assurance, Standards development, and Regulatory compliance for Oxfordshire’s residential children’s provision, including the unregulated reforms 2022. The post holder will conduct internal inspections within the registe Countywide
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Streetcare LGV Driver / Operative - WMF2112e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£27,711 - £28,624
Westmorland and Furness Council are seeking to employ an enthusiastic and motivated person into a Street Cleansing role Cumbria
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Specialist Communication Support Worker (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 7, £27,259 - £29,955 (pay award pending)
The City of Doncaster Council puts improving the life of its residents at the centre of everything we do. Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council

Apprentice Social Value

Durham County Council
£14,566
Earn. Learn. Qualify.   Do you want to earn while you learn, with the chance of progression once you qualify? Do you want the opportunity to grow, dev Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Pay Reward and Employment Services Support Officers

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) Pay Award Pending
An exciting opportunity has arisen for ten Pay, Reward & Employment Services Support Officers to join our CIPP accredited team.   WHAT IS INVOLVED?  Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner