Benifit Loss to Single Parents Slammed By MP's

SINGLE PARENTS - Benefits loss for young single parents claiming Universal Credit slammed by MPs

Campaigners want Tory ministers to reverse a benefits rule which they claim is pushing some young parents into poverty

MPs have hit out at "ludicrous" Universal Credit rules which mean young single parents are entitled to less financial support.

The One Parent Families charity claims that those under the age of 25 are being pushed into poverty and face a drop of around 20 per cent in income thanks to benefit reforms pushed through by Tories at Westminster.

Under the old system parents under-25 were paid the adult rate but that exemption was removed under Universal Credit - meaning they are paid a standard rate regardless of whether they have children.

A cross-party group of politicians is now calling on the UK Government to reverse the change.

A letter on the issue, sent today to secretary of state for work and pensions Therese Coffey, has been signed by 60 MPs from nine political parties across the four nations, alongside over 100 signatories representing leading charities and academic experts in poverty.

The signatories argue that “there is no reason to treat single parent families differently based on age” and that “the current welfare system makes it harder for younger single parents to access the appropriate level of support”.

The letter adds: “Whether under or over 25, single parents have a high percentage of their household income taken up by caring for a child as they are both the sole breadwinner and carer for their family.

"The Government’s decision not to extend this support can only therefore be seen as a Young Parent Penalty.”

Chamberlain said: “Being a young parent is incredibly challenging, even more so if you are single.

"This was historically recognised through the provision of additional welfare support for single parents under the age of 25.

“It seems ludicrous that this hasn’t been maintained under Universal Credit and that the UK Government has failed to give satisfactory answers about why.”

that young parents are treated the same as any other single parent family.

“I am supporting the One Parent Families Scotland campaign to end the Young Parent Penalty and ensure that the 175,000 single parents under the age of 25 are able to access the support they need.

ABC Note: One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) is a payment for men and women under 66 who are bringing children up without the support of a partner. To get this payment you must meet certain conditions and you must satisfy a means test.

One-Parent Family Payment is a taxable source of income.

A Back to Work Family Dividend is available for lone parents and long-term jobseeker families with children who find or return to work.

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