Social fund stuck ‘in limbo’ needs urgent improvement

Commenting on the publication today of the Work and Pensions Committee’s report on The Social Fund, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said:

“Many families in the most severe poverty are not getting the help they need from the social fund, either because the administration is too poor, they are exempted by narrow qualifying criteria, or the funds available are not enough to help all those with genuine urgent needs.

“We strongly support the Committee’s calls for the government to review eligibility for the Social Fund and launch a formal consultation on how it can be improved. While moves to provide greater access to affordable credit will help, it is vital that the Social Fund is able to provide grants and interest free loans to meet all urgent need from the poorest families.”

Notes to Editors

• CPAG is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty
• CPAG provided joint evidence to the Committee for their report along with One Parent Families, the Family Welfare Association, Help the Aged and Save the Children. The evidence, including an appendix giving case studies can be downloaded as a Word or PDF file, see links below:
• Reform of the social fund: Submission to the Work and Pensions Select Committee (372 KB Word doc)
• Reform of the social fund: Submission to the Work and Pensions Select Committee (99 KB PDF file)

For further information please contact:

Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302 
tnichols@cpag.org.uk
www.cpag.org.uk