Bishops have urged the Government to review its benefits freeze urgently, after a ‘deeply disturbing’ report, by the Child Poverty Action Group, found that poor working parents did not have the cash needed to look after children. Low-paid families are failing to keep up with inflation, and many welfare payments have been frozen. Families working full-time are 13% or £59 a week short of the amount needed to provide their children with a minimum standard of living, according to the report. The Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek, said, ‘We have heard a lot about how earnings are not keeping up with inflation, but there is an urgency to recognise that low-income working families are taking a double hit due to the four-year freeze in child tax credits and other benefits. With rising inflation, it is time to reconsider this policy in order to protect the living standards of the poorest families.’
Bishops call for review of benefits freeze
Written by David Fletcher 01 Sep 2017Additional Info
- Pray: for the Government to take a fresh look at supporting working families with children. (1 Samuel 2:8a)
- More: www.premier.org.uk/News/UK/Bishops-call-for-new-approach-from-government-over-benefits-freeze
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