LONDON, 7 November 2023

Becca Lyon, head of UK child poverty, said: "Welfare reforms that only focus on getting people into work, as mentioned in the King's Speech, would be the wrong focus at the wrong time. We are still in the midst of an appalling cost of living crisis and if the UK government is really interested in strengthening the social fabric of the UK, they should make sure those on the lowest incomes get more support. Universal Credit is failing families and the UK government must commit to raising benefits in line with inflation at the very least. 

"Just this week the UN’s special rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights said poverty levels in the UK are simply unacceptable. Driving down these numbers should be a priority for the UK government."