New DWP figures out today show 168,600 children in Wales were in families on universal credit (UC) in August. 91,500 Welsh families with children were on UC and 45% of these had a child aged four or younger (see table below)
All families on UC lost £20 per week from last month’s cut to the benefit but only around half will recoup the loss through UC reforms announced in the Budget*.
With living costs rising, Child Poverty Action Group is calling for a restoration of the value of children’s benefits – including child benefit and the child allowances in universal credit and tax credits – to stop more children from being pulled into poverty. Child benefit alone has lost 25% of its value since 2010 as a result of freezes and below -inflation upratings.
Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group Alison Garnham said:
“Many Welsh families on universal credit will not be able to plug the gap left by the £20 cut which comes just as all families are facing big cost pressures. Children’s benefits are a minimum protection for kids but their value has been eroded by cuts and freezes – and child poverty is rising. Families need government support – and the best place to start is by increasing investment in children’s benefits.”
Today’s figures show 199,800 households in Wales are on UC. 46% of these are families with children, the large majority of which (80%) have one or two children.
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