Rise in children living in families with low incomes in Bedford

Think-tank calls on Government to raise Universal Credit
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More children were living in low-income families in Bedford last year than four years previously, new figures show.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation think-tank has called on the Government to raise Universal Credit to stop child poverty compounding the "human suffering" of the coronavirus pandemic.

A family is defined as low-income if they earn less than 60 per cent of the median income – a measure of average earnings which takes the middle point – before housing costs are taken into account, which is currently £308 per week.

In Bedford, 17.2 per centof children under 16 were living in families with relative low incomes in 2018-19In Bedford, 17.2 per centof children under 16 were living in families with relative low incomes in 2018-19
In Bedford, 17.2 per centof children under 16 were living in families with relative low incomes in 2018-19

In Bedford, 17.2 per cent of children under 16 were living in families with relative low incomes in 2018-19, Department for Work and Pensions figures show.

That was an increase compared to the 15.5 per cent recorded in 2014-15, and means 6,185 children in the area now come from low-income families.

A family has to have claimed Universal Credit, Tax Credits or Housing Benefit at some point in the year to be counted in the statistics.

Dr Sam Royston, director of policy and research at the Children's Society, said: "Living in poverty has a hugely damaging effect on children’s lives, leaving them more likely to experience low well-being, poor mental health and with poorer future prospects.

“Without substantial intervention the coronavirus will undoubtedly unleash further harm to the poorest in society. There is no time to waste."

The charity is calling for the Government to end the five-week wait for Universal Credit, suspend the No Recourse to Public Funds condition which stops many families from accessing benefits, and make a long-term commitment to local welfare assistance.

Helen Barnard, acting director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said an uplift of £20 per week for families with children claiming Universal Credit would keep many from being pulled into poverty.

She added: "Children growing up in poverty are locked out of opportunities and unable to take part in society to the same extent as their peers. As a compassionate society, we cannot accept this.

“The coronavirus crisis has shown us that we want to support each other and protect each other from harm.”

A Government spokesman said the number of children and pensioners in absolute poverty has fallen by 200,000 compared to 2010.

He added: “This government is wholly committed to supporting the lowest-paid families.

“We’re giving councils an unprecedented package of support, including £4.3billion of emergency funding during the coronavirus pandemic and we have injected over £6.5billion into the welfare system, including increasing Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit by up to £1,040 a year.”