Benefits system is failing too many disabled children

Commenting on a new Institute for Public Policy Research report ‘Disability 2020’ published today, Kate Green, Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said:

“The report backs up the findings of our own research with Contact a Family on disability benefits for children. Far too many families with disabled children are not getting the benefits they are entitled to. Today’s report also adds to the evidence that disability benefits are too low for disabled children’s needs.

“We are pleased that DWP responded with interest to our own findings on low take-up of benefits for disabled children and hope this new research will give Ministers further encouragement to make improved take-up a priority.

“The Treasury must review the benefit levels needed to meet the full extra costs of disability and take the opportunity provided by the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review to increase investment. Breaking the links between disability and poverty will be vital to meeting the Chancellor’s targets of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending it by 2020.”

Notes to Editors

• CPAG is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty
  
• CPAG published Out of Reach: benefits for disabled children in December 2006.
  
• The press release from the publication of ‘Out of Reach’ can be found here: http://www.cpag.org.uk/press/011206.htm
  
• The executive summary of ‘Out of Reach’ can be found here: http://www.cpag.org.uk/publications/extracts/Out_of_Reach_exec_summ.doc

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