William Eichler 31 July 2019

Poverty result of ‘political decisions’, MPs say

The poverty and destitution levels in the UK are the result of political decisions made since 2010, MPs have said.

A new report from the Work and Pensions Committee welcomes the Government’s decision to adopt the Social Metrics Commission measure of poverty.

This measure shows that about 14 million people, a fifth of the population, live in poverty, with four million of them more than 50% below the poverty line.

The report criticises the Government for making ‘devastating, cumulative cuts’ to the incomes of the poor and urges it to lift the benefit freeze.

Most benefits for working-age people have been frozen since 2015/16. This means that already low benefit rates have become divorced from the costs of living.

The Local Housing Allowance freeze, for example, means that there is now a gap between housing benefit rates and rent prices in the private sector in the ‘vast majority’ of English local authorities.

Government plans to lift the benefit freeze in 2020/21 ‘will not be sufficient’ to reconnect benefit rates with the cost of living, according to the committee, nor will it allow those who have built up debts during the freeze to begin to pay them off.

‘The Government has shown that it can make target-busting savings through devastating, cumulative cuts to the incomes of the poor, by capping and freezing benefits that was begun under the Coalition Government,’ said Frank Field, chair of the committee.

‘Likewise, there is now no effective strategy to increase the life chances of poorer children. It has failed to recognise the unacceptably bleak picture emerging as it shreds our social safety net because it doesn’t really look.’

Responding to the report, the chair of the Local Government Association’s (LGA) Resources Board, Cllr Richard Watts, said: ‘The Prime Minister needs to use the Spending Review to restore funding to councils for local welfare assistance schemes and increase the Local Housing Allowance, enabling councils to support tenants at risk of homelessness in the short-term and providing the local safety net needed to help those struggling to cope with welfare reforms, including the roll out of Universal Credit.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Casual Support Worker

Oxfordshire County Council
£25992 - £28163
About Us Abingdon Community Support Service's primary purpose is to support adults to engage with a stimulating programme of meaningful individual and rewarding group activities. The Social and Community Services vision is to support and promote strong c Abingdon Community Support Service
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Quality and Review Support Assistant

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata
WHAT IS INVOLVED?   You will provide administrative, clerical and typing services to the Quality & Review Service, specifically in support of the Inde Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Duty Manager

Durham County Council
Grade 6 £28,142 - £31,022 per annum
We have an opportunity for a Duty Manager at Meadowfield Leisure Centre.  WHAT IS INVOLVED? You will be responsible for the day-to-day operation of t Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata
WHAT IS INVOLVED?   You should be an enthusiastic team player who takes pride in providing excellent customer service.  You will have good communicati Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council

Support Worker

Durham County Council
Grade 4 £25,583 - £26,824 Pro-rata
We have an exciting opportunity for a permanent Support Officer to join our dedicated team within Business Services (part time 22 hours).   WHAT IS IN Durham
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner