By 2021/22, an extra 75,000 London children will be living in poverty.
The London Assembly has today agreed a motion for the Chair of the Assembly to write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Thérèse Coffey MP, to express concerns on the impact of the Government’s welfare policies on London, and to urge the Minister to put an end to the most punitive welfare changes.
Joanne McCartney AM, who proposed the motion said:
“Austerity has pushed many people into economic hardship. Divisive policies have particularly targeted women, disabled people, single parents and black Londoners. Lifting every child out of poverty should be a priority for any government - instead they’re overseeing a rise.
“Our welfare system risks becoming less of a life line for those who face difficulty and more of a beating stick. We need to see an urgent end to this punitive approach.”
The full text of the motion is:
“This Assembly would like to put on record its continued concerns regarding the Government’s welfare changes and the impact that these policies, such as Universal Credit, the benefit cap and Personal Independence Payment are having on Londoners.
Analysis commissioned by the Mayor of London highlighted that London’s poorest households are hardest hit by tax and welfare changes and that by 2021/22, an extra 75,000 London children will be living in poverty. These changes hit women, disabled Londoners, single parents and black Londoners the hardest.
The analysis also shows that the overall loss of income through changes to benefits and tax credits is not offset by the recent changes to Universal Credit and increases to the National Living Wage.
This Assembly calls for the Chair to write a letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Thérèse Coffey MP, on behalf of the Assembly, to express their concern on the impact that the Government’s welfare policies are having on London, and urge the Minister to put an end to the most punitive welfare changes.”
Notes to editors
- Watch the full webcast
- The motion was agreed by 11 votes for and 7 votes against.
- Joanne McCartney AM, who proposed the motion, is available for interviews.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
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