Sinn Féin needs to become radical again

The areas with the highest unemployment and the worst health issues are republican heartlands. That equation is a poor reflection on those who have had the votes and the power for enough years to change those statistics, at least partially 

SCRIPTURE tells us to “let the dead bury their dead”. Sinn Féin used to call not just for a United Ireland but for a socialist republic.

Universal Credit designed by the Tories delivered to you by Shame Féin and the DUP

 

A policy, if my memory serves me right, most often articulated by Gerry Adams himself. For good reasons, the socialist part of that designation dissipated as the peace agreement became more prominent. With Sinn Féin in government for several years and now the main opposition party in the south, there is a strong argument for resurrecting a dollop of that effective social policy which Sinn Féin claimed was its forté. The claim, unfortunately, sits uncomfortably with the continuing revelation that their most loyal supporters are amongst the poorest and most deprived (and that’s a fact). The areas with the highest unemployment and the worst health issues are republican heartlands. That equation is a poor reflection on those who have had the votes and the power for enough years to change those statistics, at least partially.

The Northern Ireland Audit Office (NIAO) report on addiction services, published this week, is only the latest exposé of these realities. The report concentrates on the inadequacies of the department of health and the health trusts. It outlines that the available services are insufficient and that the outcomes of the services are mostly unmeasured. In fact, the data coming from the service is so uncertain that the department cannot publish it and therefore there is little clarity as to whether the services being offered are doing any good. But the most depressing revelation is that the death rate from alcohol and drug problems is four and a half times greater in deprived areas and that hospital admissions for alcohol and drugs is four times greater than in more advantaged areas. The drugs in question are a mixture of illegal and medically prescribed, but alcohol remains the greatest killer.

Gerry Adams (TD) ex-President of Sinn Féin wearing his Poppy lapel honouring the British army who executed his comrades

 

Put addiction into the middle of unemployment and poor health and the result is a cocktail of problems that would test the commitment and the ingenuity of any political system. But the difficulty and complexity is surely a reason to be more incisive and clinical in response. Following through with the addiction metaphor, recovery only begins when the problem is honestly admitted. Shame Féin shows little inclination to admit that too many of the constituencies that they represent, especially in Belfast and Derry, continue to be the most deprived on this island. Deprived communities need employment and jobs, not just improvements in welfare benefits. Scotland, interestingly, is having a close look at universal basic income as a means of giving people dignity as well as a decent income. It is a scheme whereby each citizen receives a guaranteed minimum income, employed or not.

Child poverty, Universal Basic Income,

Deprived communities also need and desire law, order and discipline even more than more privileged communities. It is what provides stability and security. They need political leaders who not only challenge policies that sustain inequality and poverty but also challenge the people themselves to rise above apathy and lethargy. They need leaders who believe in their constituents enough to believe they do not have to be at the top of every negative measurement on employment and health. Sinn Féin are rightly credited with being hard workers. Their local constituency offices are a hive of activity, responding to enquiries and requests from constituents. But business is no substitute for effectiveness. The party has been long enough now to be examined and marked on outcomes. Has the standard of living in working class nationalist/republican areas improved? The answer, unfortunately, is a resounding no. Those are the areas that bore the brunt of the years of the Troubles.  They should not be expected to also bear the disappointment of the peace. Sinn Féin need to become much more radical in examining their performance.

With many thanks to: The Irish News and Denis Bradley for his Opinion piece which was published in The Irish News on Friday July 3rd 2020 for the original posting.

Follow these links to find out more: https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/opinion/columnists/fionola-meredith/a-party-of-the-people-elitist-sinn-fein-shows-no-cause-not-even-health-tops-ira-myth-making-39336405.html

 

(2)-: https://wp.me/p1yfso-kXD

No special help for terminally ill PIP applicants because of Stormont standoff

Nichola Mallon wants the process to be fairer and more compassionate for people with the ‘least time to spare’

SDLP MLA Nichols Mallon

People facing terminal illness will have no special help to make urgent PIP applications because of the continued limbo at Stormont.

SDLP MLA Nichoal Mallon is trying to help hundreds of people navigate the new PIP rules.

And she had given special attention to those with terminal illnesses and life limiting conditions.

She has repeated called for a review of the definition of the term ‘terminal illness”.

There has been no working government in the North of Ireland since January 2017

But her plea urging action from the Department of Communities has responded with a resounding ‘no’ blaming the Stormont impasse.

Officials urged to explain how they will protect sick and disabled people from “appalling PIP experiences”
Mrs Mallon said: “I’d written to the Department for Communities to see if, in light of the Secretary of State’s Guidance on Civil Service Decision Making, work might be able to begin on making the PIP application process fairer and more compassionate for those with a terminal illness.

Stormont protest calls for politicians to “get back to work”
“The answer in short – no.

“So those with the least time to spare, the terminally ill applying for PIP are left to wait until whenever the Stormont standoff and stalemate might end.”

Record £37.1million paid in additional Northern Ireland benefits to people who made a call

The letter sent to Nichola Mallon

The letter from the Department of Communities stated: “The statutory framework introducing PIP – including a definition of terminal illness used for the special rules – in Northern Ireland was put in place by the Westminster Government following the approach agreed by the Executive to introduce welfare Reform here and the subsequent legislative consent motion endorsed by the Assembly.

Proposal for Universal Credit claimants to get half price public transport can’t go further because there is no Minister
“In the absence of Ministers the Department is constrained in the actions it can undertake: civil servants do not have the authority to commence work on a major policy review or take legislative decisions to break parity that go beyond the current arrnagemtns as previously agreed by the Executive and Assembly.”

Universal Credit cake sparks outrage

With many thanks to: Belfast Live for the original story.

How a no-deal Brexit could affect benifits and Universal Credit claimants

If the cost of living rises under a no-deal Brexit, the real value of benefits falls

A no-deal Brexit could have wide-ranging consequences for Britain.

We already know it will have an effect on a number of aspects of life including travel, the price of goods and the availability of items – however it is worth noting that the true impact of leaving the EU without an agreement will not be known until after the departure date of 29 March 2019.

A no deal could also have an impact on the lives of people who claim benefits or Universal Credit but policy and economy think tanks have yet to analyse the link.

Here are some ways in which people on benefits could be affected:

Cost of living
If the cost of living rises as a result of a no-deal Brexit, everyone in Britain will be impacted. But those on benefits stand to feel the brunt of the increase.

The Bank of England has predicted that inflation will rise significantly in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

More people might turn to food banks if they struggle to make ends meet under Universal Credit (Photo: Getty)

In November, the Bank’s governor Mark Carney said a no deal could lead Britain’s gross domestic product – the value of goods and services – to drop by eight per cent in 2019, which could mean unemployment rises to 7.5 per cent and inflation rises to 6.5 per cent.

However, Universal Credit and all equivalent benefits are set to remain frozen in cash terms throughout 2019, with Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd suggesting the freeze is unlikely to lift until 2020.

Read more:

Life on Universal Credit: I had to sell my jewellery as scrap to free up money for food

The combination of the benefits freeze and the inflation increase “could have a devastating impact on benefit recipients”, says Dr Craig Berry, a reader in political economy at Manchester Metropolitan University.

“As the cost of living rises rapidly… the real value of benefits falls – intensifying a problem recipients have been dealing with for several years already,” he explains.

Food bank usage could increase and more people could fall into rent arrears.

Universal Credit reform
Universal Credit has been widely criticised since implementation began in 2013. It has undergone a number of changes with new reforms recently announced by Ms Rudd.

However, Dr Berry suggests that future changes, especially those that are costly, might be reconsidered in the event of a no deal.

“The dire consequences of no-deal for the public finances mean that further concessions on the design of Universal Credit will become increasingly unlikely,” he tells i.

Life on Universal Credit: I was threatened with a sanction after missing a Jobcentre meeting when my girlfriend miscarried Life on Universal Credit: ‘I spent 10 weeks under threat of sanctions for being 12 minutes late to a Jobcentre appointment’

One potentially positive aspect of a no-deal Brexit for benefits claimants could be that there is an easing of sanctions.

“A no-deal Brexit will severely disrupt the normal operations of Government, one of the few upsides may be that the Department for Work and Pensions suspends or relaxes its benefit sanctions regime, as job centre staff managing claimants are moved elsewhere within the civil service,” says Dr Berry.

Money for benefits
It is not clear whether a no-deal Brexit will have any impact on the money available for Universal Credit and benefits claimants.

The decision on the amount of money put aside for benefits lies solely with the Government. And it is ministers who decide on cuts and freezes.

The Department for Work and Pensions said: “We are preparing for all eventualities to ensure claimants continue to get the right support.”

With many thanks to: I News for the original story

FOLLOW THIS LINK TO FIND OUT MORE: https://inews.co.uk/news/no-deal-brexit-affect-benefits-universal-credit-consequences/

Get in debt or turn down a job? Universal Credit’s ‘stark choice’

The Universal Credit system leaves too many UK claimants with children facing a stark choice between turning down jobs or getting into debt, MPs warn.

The Work and Pensions Select Committee says the way parents have to pay for childcare up front, then claim it back afterwards is a “barrier to work”.

Committee chairman Frank Field said it was “irresponsible” to put this burden on “struggling, striving parents”.

The government said childcare support is more generous under the new system.

But the committee’s report on the childcare aspect of Universal Credit is further criticism of the already much-criticised benefit.

The welfare payment, which collapsed six benefits into one monthly payment, is being phased in across the UK.

Universal Credit: Is the government’s benefit system working?

The report said: “Parents and carers’ decisions about whether and how much to work are closely tied to being able to access affordable, good quality childcare.

“The Department for Work and Pensions aspires for 200,000 more people to work under Universal Credit than under the system it replaces, and for people already in work to contribute over 100 million additional hours every year.

“Its success or failure in achieving these aims depends largely on working parents. That means that making childcare payments work is critical to the success of Universal Credit.”

But it claims the design of Universal Credit childcare support directly conflicts with the aim of making it easier for claimants to work, or to work more hours.

‘Precarious’

“Universal Credit claimants must pay for childcare up front and claim reimbursement from the department after the childcare has been provided,” the report says.

“This can leave households waiting weeks or even months to be paid back.

“Many of those households will be in precarious financial positions which Universal Credit could exacerbate: if, for example, they have fallen into debt or rent arrears while awaiting Universal Credit payments.

“Too many will face a stark choice: turn down a job offer, or get themselves into debt in order to pay for childcare.”

The system of reimbursement was adopted to cut down on fraud and error, and the government says switching to a system of direct payments to childcare providers would require changes to the benefits payment system.

The committee wants direct payments to be adopted, but in the meantime more should be done to help claimants with up-front costs, it says.

https://emp.bbc.co.uk/emp/SMPj/2.23.11/iframe.html

The report said: “Parents and carers’ decisions about whether and how much to work are closely tied to being able to access affordable, good quality childcare

With many thanks to: BBC England and Hannah Richardson BBC News education and social affairs reporter for the original story

More on this story                  Video Universal credit: Is the government’s benefit system working?

20 December 2018
Universal Credit: Will benefit changes affect you?

26 October 2018
Related Internet links
Department for Work and Pensions
Commons Work and Pensions Committee Universal Credit inquiry

Almost 2,400 people declared ‘fit to work’ were dead within TWO WEEKS

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3213051/Almost-2-400-people-declared-fit-work-taken-benefits-controversial-government-crackdown-dead-TWO-WEEKS.html

LET THEM EAT CAKE

Stormont buys 40 cakes to celebrate Universal Credit

A Universal Credit cake for Hove in the South East of England, where the use of cake to mark the benefits system roll-out has also caused controversy

STORMONT civil servants have spent more than £1,000 buying 40 cakes for staff to celebrate the controversial roll-out of the new Universal Credit benefits system.

The cakes, each branded with the Universal Credit logo, were given to staff in 40 locations to mark the end of the new system’s introduction in Northern Ireland.

Universal Credit, which rolls six benefits into one single payment, has been introduced gradually across the north and Britain.

But there have been calls for its suspension amid concerns that delays in people receiving their first payment are pushing some claimants into rent arrears and homelessness.

There are also concerns that thousands are worse off under the new scheme because of cuts to disability premiums and single-parent allowances.

Earlier this year, the director general of Universal Credit faced criticism for posting images on Twitter of cakes used in various parts of Britain to mark the system’s roll-out.

And now it’s emerged Stormont’s Department for Communities (DfC) has similarly treated staff in Northern Ireland.

The roll-out of Universal Credit in Northern Ireland began last year and finished earlier this month.

Cakes were provided across departmental branches in the north at the same time to mark the end of this introduction phase.

SDLP deputy leader Nichola Mallon described the move as “tasteless and insensitive”.

The North Belfast MLA said: “It is true front line staff are working hard and that should be recognised. It is also true however that Universal Credit, and the minimum five-week wait for your first payment, is causing financial hardship especially in North Belfast, Antrim and Ballymena where it is being rolled out in the mouth of Christmas.

“To brand cakes with the Universal Credit logo is tasteless and insensitive. It shows a careless disregard for the impact it is having on those families forced into debt and in through the doors of food banks.”

Defending the purchase of cakes, a DfC spokeswoman said in a statement: “The process of rolling out Universal Credit in Northern Ireland began in September 2017 and completed on December 5 2018.

“This was a significant and challenging implementation effort for the department, involving the recruitment and training of almost 2,000 staff across 40 locations throughout the province.

“To mark the completion of this task, a total of £1,125 was spent to purchase 40 cakes which were shared amongst 2,000 staff at team building events across Northern Ireland.

“The cakes were provided to mark the end of the introduction of Universal Credit, recognising the commitment and hard work of staff in delivering the new service to customers across Northern Ireland.”

With many thanks to: The Irish News for the original story.

Introducing “Westminister” (The Sinn Féin PuP)

Why am I such a critic on Sinn Fein, well are they not meant to be the voice of Republicans isn’t that why they were voted into power all those years ago.? After all if you dare speak out against SF, you get a barrage of abuse from their supporters, well I am entitled to my own options just like they are. The only difference is I never sported rose tainted glasses and have the backbone to be upfront and very vocal, even if I’m hated for doing so. So all I ask is what is their definition on Equality, Integrity and respect for all because as I see it they talk the talk but defiantly don’t walk the walk.

Sinn Féin assured us they will fight for the most vulnerable in Society….it is a contradiction. Meanwhile Sinn Féin criticise SDLP (the “Stoop Down Low Party”) for attending the House of Commons. But maybe SF is the “Stoop Further” Party.

It is all a bit of a farce. SF was accepting “welfare” cuts before doing a U-turn, they eventually caved in. Not that their allies in DUP are much more principled. They are content on doing the “hokey cokey” in Stormount.

Yet it would be only half the story to say that Sinn Féin sold out on “welfare” and Legacy matters and casually decided to overlook the Legacy issues and the victims of the Troubles.

Thats the real shame here.

In 1998 nationalists overwhelmingly and unionists narrowly voted for the Good Friday Agreement. We voted on the basis that the victims would not be forgotten. They received vague assurances and the word “Justice” was used a lot.

The promises got more vague. And the number of people who have actual first hand memories of the years 1969 to 1998 decreases with each passing year.

It is now crystal clear that their issues will not be dealt with. They have been quietly told to “get over it” and “its time to move on”

Will Sinn Féin and DUP lose votes? In any normal world, they would deserve to lose votes. They have let people down.

Next step? Well….Sinn Féin bought this pup. Now they have to feed it and take wee “Westminster” walkies in West Belfast, Derry, Newry and Ardoyne.

“Westminster” looks a cute wee puppy now. But he has some Rottweiler in him. Maybe he will be biting Sinn Féin on the arse before he is much older.

Do you know whether the passing of the buck to Westminster of Welfare, If the power was handed back permanently – that makes it significantly worse than just a one off.

For the purposes of this discussion and clarity I would make a distinction between political issues and constitutional issues on the following basis. A constitutional issue being one that relates to the relationship between ‘Britain’ and the North Of Ireland’ and a political issue being one that relates to the ‘Government’ (Stormount) within the North of Ireland.

The first question is have (constitutional) powers been handed back to Westminster permanently- unless we know this we can judge the extent to which SF as a republican party has given up control, Irish people need their own affairs to be transparent concerning very important issues, legacy being one.

In order to judge what SF have done – we need to confirm that they have actually signed over to the British.

Has to be within a framework and I am using the term “constitutional” very loosely. There is no strategy here….its just the latest in a long line of quick fix solutions a sell out.

You are clutching at straws.DUP will share power with anyone. So will SF …they are mirror images in deception. Simply put SF cant be a protest party AND a party of Government. And thats a lesson for all. Faced with a decision, they handed power back to Wrstminster rather than make the decision themselves. They protested about a European involvement in Irish economy but here we have the precedent. If decisions are awkward they would have Westminster and Brussels make them. Worse republicans than Fianna Fáil.

Perhaps you might like to clarify the terms (permanent or temporary) that Welfare powers have been agreed to be passed from Ireland to Britain by SF. Until that is clear any judgement on SF’s performance should be reserved.

We are not talking about ONE UTurn …we are talking about TWO UTurns.
You will also note that the Fresh Start (sic) ignores the Victims ….an arrangement that suits both Sinn Féin and their British allies. The victims are the subject of ongoing negotiations. It seems wrong to hold up the fresh start deal until all the victim issues are dealt with as many of the victim issues are deep seated.

The collective focus of all protest at austerity measures should properly be directed at the Tory government, not Sinn Fein; I think that message will resonate with sf voters. The fact is SF have a say too in the austerity measures and backed down but they have also worked alongside the Conservative Government for eight years. Sf supporters can point fingers but it still doesn’t take away the fact the party they backed went along with the Conservatives decision making why moan about the Conservatives now.

Whatever way it is dressed up SF passed powers back from Ireland to Britain – anyone who doesn’t think that is a BAD move shouldn’t think of themselves as a Republican. There are mitigating factors – which take some of the blame of SF – but SF correctly have to take a percentage of that blame – and that percentage may be argued over,

But the “nothing to do with us it was all the Tories fault” – will not wash except with those who have surrendered their political judgement to party loyalty.

A central tenet of SF position is that British rule in Ireland is the cause of the problems so the position that says that Tory austerity is the main problem is consonant, resonant, and consistent with that and will resonate with SF voters.

I wouldnt be too sure about that.
It wont resonate with non-SF voters in the North and it will certainly have an adverse effect on their core vote in north.
The whole strategy of SF in south….is to attract people who are prepared to give SF a chance.
FF can justifiably saying that SF complain when the Europeans took over…and SF hand power to Westminster.
Labour can say that they were prepared to take difficult decisions and SF crucify them for it. And SF are unfit for Government as they dont do difficult decisions.
And the various lefty independents can claim to be more consistent opponents of Austerity than SF.

The bottom line is that this is a very bad commitment promise for Sinn Féin and they thoroughly know it.
Sinn Féin have made a massive mistake….and that mistake is compounded by the fact that they actually backed down…broke commitments…sold out the most vulnerable and victims so that they could stay in power.
If you think SF wont lose votes for treachery….you could well be right.
If you think they will gain any votes North or South, you are certainly wrong.
If you think they DESERVE credit…you are just kidding yourself.

With many thanks to: Marianne Collins – Friends of Relatives of Justice in Ireland.

70,000 FAMILIES WITHOUT ENOUGH MONEY TO PAY FOR BASICS

 Research highlights ‘difficult sacrifices‘ people are making !

MORE than 70,000 people in the North of Ireland – that’s one in 20 – don’t have enough money each week to cover basic essentials such as mortgage/rent, food and electricity/heating. Three quarters of households (525,000) also say they  have switched off their heatibenefits  me point to save fuel, while the number of families saving on a regular basis is next to nothing.

The shocking figures, contained in the latest Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) Northern Ireland Household Income Tracker, underline the region’s further plunge into poverty authors say they are particularly concerned about the introduction next year of the Universal Credit system in the North of Ireland, claiming households in the North are “unprepared and in the dark” on how it will impact them. Universal Credit was introduced this month in selected areas in Britain, replacing six types of benefits with a simpler, single monthly payment if a person is out of work or on a low income. It is part of the British government‘s declared commitment to ensure people are always better of in work than on benifits, and will be rolled out in the North of Ireland from April 2014. “Our research highlights the everyday struggles people in the North of Ireland are faced with in managing their households and the difficult sacrifices that they have had to make,” ILCU director Rosemary O’Doherty says. “Reports of the impact of Universal Credit in other parts of the UK are of great concern, because there seems to be a lack of awareness and understanding by those who stand to be most affected by its introduction. “Significant changes, such as the transition from a fortnightly to a monthly payment, and the merging of all payments into one single lump sum, could have a huge negative impact to those families already struggling to manage their finances.”

“Its authors say they are particularly concerned about the introduction next year of the Universal Credit system in the North of Ireland, claiming households in the North are ‘unprepared and in the dark’ on how it will impact them”.

The ILCU’s latest study said 47 per cent of people in the North of Ireland are unaware of the planned changes to the benefits system. It said more than half of households receiving benifits at present have little or nothing left at the end of each month after paying essential bills, and found that 71,500 people can’t even meet the most basic of weekly household commitments. The report revealed that almost 659,000 people had to sacrifice other household spending to cover costs of heating, while half the region is at present in fuel poverty and 63,000 households reported spending more than half of their income heating their home. Among the other findings in the ILCU tracker, 816,000 adults indicated that they, or someone within their household, were receiving some type of benifit, jobseeker’s allowance, tax credits or income support. And almost half in receipt of benifits were unaware of the planned changes to the system, which sees one monthly payment for the household. Separate indices published in recent weeks by both government and the private sector in the North of Ireland have revealed that living standards and wages in the North are well below the average in Britain. For example, UK medium household income is £419 a week before housing costs and £359 after housing costs, compared with £379 and £338 on the equivalent measures in the North of Ireland. Just last week a study from Asda showed that spending power continues to diminish in the North, with families now £7 a week wrose off than this time last year after having paid taxes and bought essential items such as groceries, electricity, gas, fuel and met mortgage or rent payments.

With many thanks to : Gary McDonald (Business Editor), Irish News.

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I COULD LIVE ON £53 A WEEK CLAIMS UK CABINET MINISTER

” If I had to I would ” – Iain Duncan Smith.

Iain Duncan Smith’s minister’s salary is equivalent to about £1,600 a week after tax.

IAIN Duncan Smith yesterday dismissed claims that he was ” slashing ” welfare – and insisted that he could live on £53 a week. The UK’s work and pensions secretary said he was making the system fairer and giving people a chance to ” break free ” of benifits.

Ministers launched a fightback as 660,000 social housing tenents deemed to have a spare room begain to lose an average £14 a week in what critics have dubbed a ” bedroom tax “. It is part of a package of significant welfare and tax changes coming into force this month, which opponents say will hit poor familes and disabled people particularly hard. Changes to council tax benifits will see bills rise for an estimated 2.4 millon households in Britain rise an average £138 a year, with two million paying for the first time, an anti poverty group said. The system was yesterday hand-ed to town halls to operate but with 10 per cent less founding. On Saturday working-age benifits and tax-credits will be cut in real terms with the first of three years of maximum one per cent raises – well below the present rate of inflation. Two days later disabilty living allowence begains to be replaced by the personal independance payment which charites say will remove support from many people in real need. Later in the month trails begain in four London boroughs of a £500-a-week cap on any household’s benifits, and a new universal credit system. Piolt schemes for the flagship scheme have been scaled back amid reports -denied by welfare officials – that IT problems have derailed preparations for its rollout from October.

Labour claims the impact of the measures and other coalition polices have left the average family almost £900 a year worse off. Market trader David Bennett told BBC Radio 4’s Today programe yesterday morning that he earned around £2,700 last year from working between 50 and 70 hours a week. He said his housing benifit had been cut even though his children stayed with him several days a week and his overall income was about £53 a week. It was not clear why Mr Bennett was not receiving tax credits. Mr Duncan Smith, whose ministerial salary is equivalent to about £1,600 a week after tax, stressed that he did not know Mr Bennett’s individual circumstances. However, asked whether he could live on £53 a week, the former army officer, who married into a wealthy family, replied : ” If I had I would.” During the course of the day more than 21,000 people signed a petition on  the change.org website calling for Mr Duncan Smith to “prove ” he could survive on £53 a week. The text urged him to ” live on his budget for at least one year “. He said the government was only trying to get welfare ” back in order “. ” We inherited a problem where we simply do not have the money to spend on all the things people would like us to do. ” What I am trying to do is get this so we don’t spend money on things that are unfair.” He urged critics to get the issue ” in perspective “.

With many thanks to : James Tapsfield, Irish News.

Related articles

• I could live on £53 a week says Iain Duncan Smith (express.co.uk)
• Iain Duncan Smith: 200,000 sign petition urging smug minister to prove he can live on £7.50 a day (mirror.co.uk)
• Iain Duncan Smith: I have already lived on £53 a week and petition calling on me to do so again is a complete stunt (teessidesolidaritymovement.wordpress.com)
• Iain Duncan Smith: I could live on £53 a week (mirror.co.uk)
• Iain Duncan Smith petition: 100,000 urge smug minister to prove he can live on £7.50 a day (mirror.co.uk)
• Iain Duncan Smith: I could live on £53 per week (telegraph.co.uk)
• I could live on £53 a week benefits, claims Iain Duncan Smith (thetimes.co.uk)

Poorest mothers will lose benefits, claims charity

Save the Children says single mothers may have to work longer or get into debt

 

Single mothers could lose thousands of pounds under planned changes to the benefits system, a charity claims.

 

Save the Children says its research suggests 150,000 women could lose up to £68 a week when the new universal credit takes effect next year.

The report also claims second earners will be affected.

But the Department for Work and Pensions said 600,000 lone parents would be better off under a system that “incentivised work and made work pay”.

Save the Children says single mothers on low incomes would be forced to make ends meet by either working longer hours or by getting into debt.

The charity’s report – Ending Child Poverty – claims the changes would make it less attractive for parents to come off benefits and into work because of poor childcare support.

It also suggests that couples where both work part-time in low paid jobs would be hit by the changes

The charity is urging the Chancellor, George Osborne, to take action in next week’s budget to head off the problems and ensure that single mothers keep more of their income before losing benefits.

Continue reading the main story

“Start Quote

The truth is 600,000 lone parents will be better off under a system which will incentivise work”

End Quote Department for Work and Pensions

Chief executive of Save the Children Justin Forsyth said: “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.

“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.”

‘Better-off’By the time universal credit is fully implemented, the government expects 900,000 people to be lifted out of poverty.

A spokeswoman for the DWP said the charity’s claims were based on hypothetical examples and it was wrong to assert that lone parents would lose out under universal credit.

“The truth is 600,000 lone parents will be better off under a system which will incentivise work and make work pay”, said the spokeswoman.

“This is in stark contrast to the broken system this government inherited which only rewards lone parents who work 16 hours or more.

“Under universal credit 80,000 more families, including lone parents, will be able to claim childcare support – no matter how few hours they work,” she added.

The government did however admit that payments to some new claimants would be lower under the new system.

Shadow employment minister Stephen Timms said the government must work harder to get universal credit right.

“The best way to get children out of poverty is to get more parents in work,” he said.

“But as this report shows, their current plans will lock in a parents’ penalty, chip away at the incentives for thousands to work and push 150,000 working parents deeper into poverty.”

WITH MANY THANKS TO : BBC NEWS NI.

 

More on This Story

Related Stories

• Poorest mothers will lose benefits, claims charity 13 MARCH 2012, UK
• Were single mothers better off in the 19th Century? 05 MARCH 2012, MAGAZINE
• Child benefit reforms ‘complex’ 19 JANUARY 2012, BUSINESS
• Q&A: Benefits overhaul 21 FEBRUARY 2011, BUSINESS

Related Internet links

• Save the Children
• Department for Work and Pensions