Fiona Twycross AM comments on changes to welfare
Commenting on changes to welfare coming in today and this week, Labour’s London Assembly Economy Spokesperson, Fiona Twycross AM, said:
“These punitive cuts will leave many Londoners financially worse off, including the most vulnerable.
“London’s high cost of living means that many people are dependent on child tax credits, housing benefit and Employment Support Allowance to get by. Amongst those penalised most severely by these cuts are families, people with disabilities, young people and the bereaved. This is a heartless move from the Government who should be making life easier for those who are struggling, not making things harder.
“Unsurprisingly, these changes will see the richest protected whilst the poorest lose. The Prime Minister needs to think again if this is what she considers an economy that works for everyone. I would urge anyone that needs advice about the changes to visit their local Citizens Advice Bureau.”
Notes to editors
- Changes include:
- Two-child limit on child tax credit, from 6th April;
- Scrapping the “family element” of child tax credit for all families except those with a child born before 6th April;
- Employment and Support Allowance claimants in the Work-Related Activity group (WRAG) will get £29.05 less per week;
- Housing benefit scrapped for jobseekers aged 18-21, from 1st April;
- New Bereavement Support Payment. Lump sum given to grieving families will increase from £2,000 to £3,500, but weekly taxable benefit of £112 (up until the youngest child leaves education) will be cut to £350 a month (with a time limit of 18 months), from 6th April;
- A report from the Resolution Foundation found that incoming tax and benefit changes will leave poorer households worse off, whilst richer households unaffected by benefit changes will be better off;
- Fiona Twycross AM is a Londonwide Assembly Member
For more information please contact London Assembly Labour Group senior press officer, Alison Orlandi, on 020 7983 4952 or 07825 865 305. Number not for publication.