Thank you for contacting me about child poverty.
I firmly believe that children should grow up in an environment with no limits to their potential. We must continue efforts to reduce poverty, including child poverty.
First of all, thank you for highlighting the statistics for our local area. I would emphasise that my colleagues at the Department for Work and Pensions have been unable to assess the robustness of Loughborough University’s modelling, as their methodological choices have not been shared.
National Statistics on the number and percentage of children in low-income households are published annually in the 'Households Below Average Income' publication. These remain the most accurate published measurements of low income. These latest statistics show that in the past decade, 100,000 children have been lifted out of absolute poverty (both before and after housing costs) and levels of combined material deprivation and low income for children are at their joint lowest level.
During the pandemic, quick action was taken to support families with 11.7 m people kept in their jobs through the furlough scheme. Welfare changes worth over £7.4 billion were also swiftly introduced. The Household Support Fund, now worth £2.5 billion, was established, as well as a £63-million local welfare assistance fund, enabling councils to target support towards those struggling to afford food and other essentials. While some of the help you mention was instigated at the start of the pandemic, further support has been introduced as it has progressed.
The benefit cap allows for a yearly income of £20,000 outside of London, and £23,000 within London. However, the Chancellor announced during the Autumn Statement 2022 that he will exceptionally increase the cap by 10.1 per cent in 2023/24, in line with inflation, to provide additional support to the most vulnerable.
I would emphasise that claimants with a sustained employment record may benefit from a nine-month grace period before the benefit cap applies.
Exemptions also apply for the most vulnerable claimants who are entitled to disability benefits and carer benefits.
As you may know, Ministers commissioned an independent review of the food system in the form of the National Food Strategy. The initial recommendations were published in July 2021. The Government published its full strategy on 13 June 2022. The strategy will help to boost domestic food production, which will help access to, and affordability of, food in the UK going forwards.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.