We were delighted by the recent high court ruling that the benefit cap discriminates against single parents with children under two, and agree with Mr Justice Collins: “Real misery is being caused to no good purpose.” Therefore, we are deeply disappointed that the government has decided to appeal this decision and strongly urge it to reconsider.
We consistently hear from those who cannot find the affordable childcare or flexible work required to escape the cap. Single parents with babies and toddlers should never have been covered by the policy in the first place – indeed, there is no free childcare before children reach the age of two. The parents in this group are the least likely to be able to get off the cap, and their ensuing hardship has contributed to the shocking statistic that nearly half of all children in single-parent families will grow up in poverty. And it is simply unconscionable that women who have fled domestic abuse with young children should face further financial insecurity because of the cap.
Instead of lifting people into work, far too often the benefit cap has pushed families into poverty. The high court judgment accepts and acknowledges that reality. Now would be the time for the government to pause and reconsider the impact of the policy in its entirety – rather than appealing against a ruling that so clearly shows it is in the wrong.
Helena Kennedy QC, Alison Garnham Chief executive, Child Poverty Action Group, Sarah Green Co-director, End Violence Against Women Coalition, Ellen Broomé Chief executive, the Family and Childcare Trust, Adrienne Burgess Joint chief executive, the Fatherhood Institute, Cathy Ashley Chief executive, Family Rights Group, Rosie Ferguson Chief executive, Gingerbread, Matthew Reed CEO, the Children’s Society, Pragna Patel Director, Southall Black Sisters, Estelle du Boulay Director, Rights of Women, Kate Bell Head of economic and social affairs, TUC, Polly Neate CEO, Women’s Aid
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