The move would help unemployed parents find work and increase income for working parents impacted by low wages.
The child element of universal credit should be increased by at least £15-a-week and the cap on the amount of benefits families can receive should be abolished, said the charity. It said the cap “is a big driver of deeper poverty”.
While the benefits hike and cap removal would cost the government an estimated £4bn a year it would boost the incomes of those living in poverty so “their experience of it is less severe”, it added.
Action for Children says that the current system traps parents in poverty, by being unable to increase their income or lift themselves out of hardship.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
