Worst unemployment in over a decade demands welfare reform rethink

Commenting on today’s unemployment figures, which show the highest number of jobless people in 11 years, Kate Green, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said:

“We are very concerned about the growing number of families who are struggling to get by on inadequate benefits. Let’s make sure we support these families and the economy by paying fair benefit rates, so they can keep on spending in their local businesses on the things their children need.

“The Government must take urgent action to ensure welfare reforms, designed for a period of growth, do not now make matters worse. With fewer jobs and more jobseekers, harsh new sanctions are irrational, unfair and a threat to family security. The endless new threats and conditions for disabled people and lone parents are an expensive bureaucratic burden that could not come at a worse time. They must be suspended.”

Notes for editors

• CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and children.
• CPAG is one of over 130 member organisations of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending child poverty by 2020 are met.

For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
tnichols@cpag.org.uk