By Vivienne Russell | 22 April 2014
Jobseekers, carers, single parents and disabled people are being pushed further into poverty because of the government’s welfare changes, a report has claimed today.
The study, produced by Oxfam and the New Policy Institute, said 1.75 million people in Britain had had their incomes cut in the past three years.
Almost one million (920,000) households have had their councils tax support cut, while 300,000 have experienced a cut in Housing Benefit. Almost half a million (480,000) households have had both these benefits cuts, losing an average of £18 a week.
Oxfam chief executive Mark Goldring said: ‘This is the latest evidence of a perfect storm blowing massive holds in the safety net which is supposed to stop people falling further into poverty.
‘We are already seeing people turning to food banks and struggling with rent, council tax, childcare and travel costs to job centres. At a time when the five richest families in the UK have the same wealth as the bottom 20% of the population it is unacceptable that the poorest are paying such a heavy price.’
Tom MacInnes, research director at the New Policy Institute, noted that the welfare safety net was made up of two elements. ‘One is the means-tested cash benefit such as jobseekers’ allowance, which is rising by less than prices.
‘The other is the benefits that help pay for specific unavoidable costs. This is where cuts have been targeted and where the greatest damage to the safety net is being done.’
Today’s report is the latest to highlight the social costs of the government’s welfare reforms. Last week, the Trussell Trust charity warned of a three-fold increase in the number of people seeking emergency food aid, while earlier this month MPs criticised the impact of the bedroom tax.
