CYP Now - Trebling of households affected by benefit cap raises child poverty fears

The number of households subject to the benefit cap has more than trebled in just four months, prompting campaigners to raise concerns about more children ending up in poverty.

Official statistics published today show 66,135 households had their government benefits capped in February 2017, a sharp rise of 46,039 from November 2016 when the total stood at 20,096.

The massive increase coincides with the amount of benefits that can be claimed each year being lowered from £26,000 a year to £23,000 within Greater London and £20,000 across the rest of the UK.

The cap limits the amount a household can receive as a combined income from benefits including jobseekers' allowance, income support, housing benefits, child benefit and child tax credit, among others.

Prior to the lower cap coming into effect in February, the number of households affected had not risen higher than 28,434 since the £26,000 cap was introduced in April 2013.

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