Conservative plans to cut benefits will increase child poverty
Conservative proposals to remove benefits from people who refuse job offers have been condemned by Save the Children as "seriously flawed".
Monday 7 January 2008
Under the 'three strikes and you're out' policy, people on benefits will receive escalating punishments for each 'reasonable' job offer they turn down. If a third job is refused, benefits would be withdrawn for up to three years.
But Claire Walker, UK spokesperson for Save the Children, said such moves would be counterproductive, punishing the most vulnerable and their children.
"The Conservative proposals are based on the US Wisconsin model of welfare reform, and this model has been shown to be seriously flawed. The evidence shows that while some families did return to work, child poverty levels have increased in the past two years."
Instead, Save the Children emphasised the need for constructive measures to help families out of poverty.
"If the Conservatives are to be taken seriously on this issue, they need to outline policies such as extended day care and training, which will support the most vulnerable families back into work, rather than just punishing them," Ms Walker added.
"As a first step, the Conservative party must fully sign up to the child poverty target. As part of the Campaign to End Child Poverty we are calling on them to pledge the £4 billion needed to meet the 2010 target of halving child poverty. Save the Children also wants to see seasonal grants of £100 per child, in summertime and at Christmas - the times when vulnerable families are under the greatest financial strain."
-ENDS-
Notes to Editors
- For more information please contact: Benedict Dempsey on 020 7012 6852, or out of hours 07831 650 409
- Save the Children is part of the campaign to End Child Poverty - http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/
