In a letter seen by the Guardian, the Children’s Minister, Tim Loughton, points out to Lord Freud at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that the “planned changes in the welfare reform bill appear to undermine our efforts to ensure young carers are recognised and supported”.
The Welfare Reform Bill proposes to replace the severe and enhanced disability premiums that currently go to disabled parents, with its flagship universal credit scheme in 2013. Children of lone parents could have their benefit payments cut by as much as £3,500 a year and more than 42,000 children are likely to be affected by the changes.
Many argue that cutting welfare payments to disabled lone parents means their children will be forced to spend more time caring and less time growing up.
To read the full article and the view of the Children’s Society click here
Website: Guardian
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/03/childrens-minister-warning-welfare-reforms?newsfeed=true
Amanda Frewin
Research & Project Support
– Loughton warns welfare reforms could impact on young carers
Posted in THE GRAPEVINE! news, comment & a bit of gossip, Welfare to Work | Leave a comment
In a letter seen by the Guardian, the Children’s Minister, Tim Loughton, points out to Lord Freud at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that the “planned changes in the welfare reform bill appear to undermine our efforts to ensure young carers are recognised and supported”.
The Welfare Reform Bill proposes to replace the severe and enhanced disability premiums that currently go to disabled parents, with its flagship universal credit scheme in 2013. Children of lone parents could have their benefit payments cut by as much as £3,500 a year and more than 42,000 children are likely to be affected by the changes.
Many argue that cutting welfare payments to disabled lone parents means their children will be forced to spend more time caring and less time growing up.
To read the full article and the view of the Children’s Society click here
Website: Guardian
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2011/oct/03/childrens-minister-warning-welfare-reforms?newsfeed=true
Amanda Frewin
Research & Project Support