A stronger economy is likely to make little difference to the poorest UK households unless there is targeted support to tackle poverty, a report has warned. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has previously indicated he would like to scrap the limit but that the Government cannot currently afford to do so, and has repeatedly stressed the focus on growing the economy.
It warned poverty levels could even rise if economic growth is not accompanied by employment growth. According to its modelling, the JRF said none of the nine English regions are likely to see a fall in child poverty over the four years to January , with five regions — East Midlands, South West, South East, East of England, and Yorkshire and the Humber — even possibly seeing rises.
The latest official statistics, released last year, showed the estimated total number of people in relative low income in the UK was at The JRF said the figures equate to around two in every 10 adults and three in every 10 children being in poverty.
The JRF analysis suggested the lower level in Scotland is likely to do with the Scottish Child Payment — a benefit paid to low-income families with children in Scotland — and noted the government north of the border had pledged to end the two-child cap on some benefits. The charity said its analysis showed only child poverty rates in Scotland would likely fall further by While lower average housing costs in Scotland and Northern Ireland were previously thought to drive lower poverty rates in the two nations, the JRF said its analysis looked at poverty before housing costs are taken into account and found Scotland still likely to have continued lower levels.
But many working households are struggling to keep their heads above water. Working people should be able to put food on the table for their families and keep their children warm during the winter. The Government must remove the two-child benefit cap which is keeping too many children in working households in poverty. We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues.
