Laura Sharman 29 June 2015

Borough warns benefit cap could push 1,000 children into poverty

Child poverty and homelessness is likely to rise under the Government’s plan to cut the benefit cap, a London borough is warning.

Research carried out by Islington Councils revealed that plans to lower the benefit cap by £3,000 to £23,000 a year per family would affect nearly 600 homes in the borough. The policy would see £1.6m in lost Housing Benefit and Local Housing Allowance, impacting up to 1,000 children.

Cllr Andy Hull, Islington Council's executive member for finance and performance, warned this could cause private landlords evicting large families as the cost of properties with more than one bedroom is above the cap in the area.

Cllr Hull said: ‘This national, one-size-fits-all policy takes no account of local realities. Rents in London are much higher than elsewhere, and yet the same caps and cuts apply. With such a shortage of affordable housing in the capital, cutting the benefit cap won’t drive down rents; it will just drive people into poverty.’

Cllr Hull added that reducing the cap would see the demand for Discretionary Housing Payments increase, and the council would also have to employ more IMAX welfare advisors and iWork employment coaches at a cost of £110,000 a year.

‘We will do our best to support struggling families in our community, but there’s a limit to our ability to shoulder the burden of government cuts and shield residents from their impact,’ Cllr Hull added.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

KS2 Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £43,607
KS2 Class Teacher   M1 – M6     £31,650 - £43,607 Full Time, Whole Time Temporary – required from 1st September 2025 until 31st August 2026  The head Bowburn
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Deputy Manager, Children’s Homes Service

Durham County Council
Grade 11 £39,513 - £43,693
The Role We are seeking Deputy Managers who will support the Registered Manager to ensure the delivery of high-quality care. You will work directly wi Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Independent Reviewing Officer

Durham County Council
Grade 14 £48,710 - £52,805 pro rata
Are you a child and family social worker with 5 years of post-qualifying experience looking for the next step of your career?   What is Involved? As a Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Class Teacher

Durham County Council
£31,650 - £43,607
Class Teacher M1-M6  £31,650 - £43,607 Full time, whole time Temporary – required from 2nd September 2025 until August 2026 The governors of Escomb P Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

School Crossing Patrol

Durham County Council
Grade 1 £3,968 (approx.) £12.45 per hour
Join our School Crossing Patrol Service! Are you punctual and reliable? Do you have good communication skills and a strong sense of community spirit? Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner