£14 billion of means tested benefits fails to reach those in poverty
13.09.07 New figures released today by DWP estimate that up to £9.4 billion is not being claimed in means tested benefits by those who are entitled to it. This shows a further decrease in take-up on last years figures.
Earlier this year HM Revenue and Customs figures revealed that up £4.5 billion of Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit goes unclaimed annually, making a total of up to around £14 billion a year that those in greatest need of support are not receiving.
CPAG’s Chief Executive Kate Green said:
“With child poverty having increased recently for the first time in years, it is of great concern that take-up of means tested benefits is continuing to fall.
“It is particularly concerning that take-up of income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance has fallen by 13% over recent years, as this is a gateway for the poorest families to other benefits. Not enough is being done to understand and address this urgent problem.
“Reliance on means testing has become too great and is failing. The complexity of benefits and tax credits is proving to be too great a barrier for millions who should be receiving support. If the Government continues to rely primarily on means-tested support to reach its targets for ending child poverty, it will fail. Ministers must look again at the role of universal benefits like Child Benefit.
“The Government must accept the Work and Pensions Committee’s call for a Welfare Commission to undertake a fundamental review aimed at producing a simpler, fairer system that does not leave so many poor families missing out on essential support.”
Notes to Editors
For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
press@cpag.org.uk
www.cpag.org.uk/press/130907.htm |
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