One million children in disability-related poverty may be put at risk by new benefit

Commenting on today’s publication of an evaluation of the test to determine eligibility for the new Employment and Support allowance, Paula Twigg, Head of the Citizens Rights Office for Child Poverty Action Group said:

“There are a million children below the poverty line affected by disability and for many of them this means having a disabled parent. We are concerned that thousands more families than before will not qualify for the new benefit.

“It is of great concern that even sick and disabled people who pass the new qualifying tests may lose vital family income from benefit sanctions. There is no evidence this is necessary and it puts children’s well-being at risk.

“The Government must focus on the tailored support they need to manage their conditions and tackling the employer prejudice that keeps them out of work, rather than threatening vulnerable families with loss of benefits.”

Notes for editors

• CPAG is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty.

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