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Benefits cap hits single parents with children under five, figures show Benefits cap hits single parents with children under five, figures show
(35 minutes later)
Nearly half the households affected by the benefits cap are headed by lone parents caring for at least one child under five, it has been revealed. Nearly half the households affected by the benefits cap are headed by lone parents caring for at least one child under five, official figures have revealed.
The first official statistics detailing who has been affected by the policy, which caps welfare payments at £26,000, reveal that in May 2015, 49% were single parents with children too young to attend school. The first government statistics detailing who has been affected by the policy, which caps welfare payments at £26,000, reveal that in May 2015 49% were single parents with children too young to attend school.
Critics say the figures show that the benefits cap is effectively penalising those parents who find it most difficult to get suitable work. They have called on the government to exempt single parents of children under five from the policy.Critics say the figures show that the benefits cap is effectively penalising those parents who find it most difficult to get suitable work. They have called on the government to exempt single parents of children under five from the policy.
According to the statistics released on Thursday by the Department for Work and Pensions, 22,456 households were living with their benefits capped in May 2015, the most recent figures available.According to the statistics released on Thursday by the Department for Work and Pensions, 22,456 households were living with their benefits capped in May 2015, the most recent figures available.
Lone parents led 64% or 14,309 of the capped families. Of those, 76% - 10,810 - were raising a child under five. Lone parents led 64% or 14,309 of the capped families. Of those, 76% – 10,810 – were raising a child under five.
The findings will be difficult for the government, which sells its benefits cap policy as a way to incentivise parents to get work. Critics say lone parents with young children face obstacles to finding jobs, including the high cost of childcare and a lack of flexible part-time positions which would allow them to work around childcare responsibilities. The findings will be difficult for the government, which sells its benefits cap policy as an incentive for parents to get work. Critics say lone parents with young children face obstacles to finding jobs, including the high cost of childcare and a lack of flexible part-time positions which would allow them to work around childcare responsibilities.
The DWP’s own analysis found that those parents who had gained employment after being hit by the benefits cap were more likely to have children aged four or over, suggesting that caring for young children is a serious impediment to employment. The DWP’s own analysis found that those parents who had found a job after being hit by the benefits cap were more likely to have children aged four or over, suggesting that caring for young children is a serious impediment to employment.
Single parents claiming income support are not currently required to find a job until their youngest child turns five. At that point they are moved on to Jobseekers Allowance. However, the benefits cap is a de facto imperative to find work, with moving to a cheaper area the only other option for many families. Single parents claiming income support are not currently required to find a job until their youngest child turns five. At that point they are moved on to jobseeker’s allowance. However, the benefits cap is a de facto imperative to find work, with moving to a cheaper area the only other option for many families.
A total of 62,571 households have had their benefits capped since the scheme was introduced in April 2013. Of those, more than 45% - 28,327 - were in London, where a hot property market and a decline in social housing has led to soaring rents. A total of 62,571 households have had their benefits capped since the scheme was introduced in April 2013. Of those, more than 45% – 28,327 – were in London, where a hot property market and a decline in social housing have led to soaring rents.
The next worst affected area was the wider south-east, another area which has seen soaring property prices. There, 6,356 households were capped - just more than 10% of the national total. The least affected area was the north-east. The next worst affected area was the wider south-east, another area which has seen soaring property prices. There, 6,356 households were capped – just over 10% of the national total. The least affected area was the north-east.
Gingerbread, a support group for single parents, warned that the benefits cap is putting single parents under increasing pressure, at the expense of their children’s wellbeing. Gingerbread, a support group for single parents, warned that the benefits cap was putting single parents under increasing pressure at the expense of their children’s wellbeing.
The chief executive, Fiona Weir, said: “The cap is billed as a policy that incentivises parents to find work, however we know that single parents are already highly motivated to work and that for those with very young children, it is low pay, the high cost of childcare and lack of the right part-time jobs that make it particularly difficult for them to work. The chief executive, Fiona Weir, said: “The cap is billed as a policy that incentivises parents to find work. However, we know that single parents are already highly motivated to work and that for those with very young children it is low pay, the high cost of childcare and lack of the right part-time jobs that make it particularly difficult for them to work.
“This is a policy that will push more children into poverty. We’re calling on the government to exempt single parents caring for a child aged under five from the cap.”“This is a policy that will push more children into poverty. We’re calling on the government to exempt single parents caring for a child aged under five from the cap.”
The DWP pointed out that lone parents entitled to Working Tax Credits - who could be working just 16 hours a week - are excluded from the cap, allowing them to potentially receive a higher income. The DWP pointed out that lone parents entitled to working tax credits – who could be working just 16 hours a week – are excluded from the cap, allowing them to potentially receive a higher income.
A spokesman for the department said: “The benefit cap provides a clear incentive to move into work - lone parents who work just 16 hours a week are exempt and we have increased the child care support available. A spokesman for the department said: “The benefit cap provides a clear incentive to move into work – lone parents who work just 16 hours a week are exempt and we have increased the child care support available.
“We have provided local authorities with around £500m to support those families who might need extra help.”“We have provided local authorities with around £500m to support those families who might need extra help.”