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Single mums ‘worst hit by universal credit’
Single working mums on low wages will be worst affected by the new Universal Credit system which could undermine progress to ending child poverty in Britain, says a new report by Save the Children.
Single working mums on low wages will be worst affected by the new Universal Credit system which could undermine progress to ending child poverty in Britain, says a new report by Save the Children.
STC says around 150,000 of the UK’s poorest single working mums could lose up to £68 a week under the new system, pushing a quarter of a million children deeper into poverty.
It adds that the welfare reforms will also hurt "second earners" – most of whom are women – with some families losing up to £1,800 per year.
According to STC, there are 3.5 million children living in poverty in the UK, one of the highest figures in Europe. The majority of these children actually come from working households.
“Universal Credit will help some families, but mums working hard to stay above the breadline are its big blind spot. It’s incredibly hard bringing up three kids on £370 a week – losing almost a fifth of that will push many families over the edge,” said Save the Children CEO Justin Forsyth.
"The Government must make sure mums who want to work keep more of their incomes and get more support with childcare. Otherwise we’ll see fewer women in the workplace and more children growing up in poverty.”
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Comments [2]
Anonymous says:
The whole of this is a sham. Do they actually know how hard it is being a single mum and working full-time!! I do not beg anything of society. I have worked hard and given to the system all of the time. I want opportunities for my children!!! Well, thanks for nothing!!!!
Anonymous says:
Once again single parents are an easy target for this government. This vulnerable group have already seen a reduction in childcare payments, a significant cost for single parents. At a time when most families need two incomes to stay afloat, single parents can barely survive on one salary let alone manage with further income reductions by way of the universal credit. How can any government justify squeezing these families any further. I am appalled.