Relief that benefits and the benefit cap will rise with inflation
- But autumn statement not enough to stop ice from cracking under struggling families.
- UK government must now match Holyrood level of investment in family benefits.
Responding to today’s statement, John Dickie, the Director of Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland said:
"There will be relief for families across Scotland and the rest of the UK that benefits and the benefit cap will rise with inflation. But this is only the fourth time UK benefits have risen by inflation in the last ten years. As a result there are almost 4 million children living in poverty in the UK, over a quarter of a million of them in Scotland alone. Today’s package will not stop the ice from cracking under those struggling families."
If the Scottish government can find the resources to provide a £25 a week cash boost for each child in low income families, as it has done with the roll out of the Scottish child payment this week, then so too can the UK government. The Chancellor now needs to go further and work to restore the value of UK family benefits so that our social security system never again leaves children so brutally exposed to the kinds of health and economic shocks we have seen in the last few year. Scrapping the two child limit and a £20 uplift to child benefit would be good places to start.
On support for energy costs
Mr Dickie added:
"The flat-rate support for energy costs means that despite having to spend more on energy families with kids get proportionately less support. As a result, children will go without and the UK government will have to accept responsibility for the consequences."
On work requirements
"The Chancellor’s statement fails to recognise that lots of parents need to look after their kids or have disabilities which means they simply can’t work more hours. Forcing them to meet over-stretched work coaches won’t address barriers like childcare costs, expensive travel, and insecure work. And we’re perplexed that managed migration to universal credit will continue for families with children on Employment Support Allowance. If it’s too risky for everyone else then why impose it on families and children?"