To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate she has made of the proportion of England in which one parent families subject to the benefit cap with (a) two children, (b) three children, (c) four children, (d) five children would be unable to afford their rent and essential living costs.
Answered on
26 May 2021
No estimate has been made. The benefit cap provides a strong work incentive and fairness for hard-working taxpaying households and encourages people to move into work, where possible.
A range of Universal Credit (UC) measures are designed to support claimants, including one parent families such as easements from work-related requirements, same day advances and signposting to expert third-party services. There is also help available for childcare costs for children of any age. Claimants can recover up to 85% of their eligible childcare costs through UC (or 70% of those costs through working tax credits). Further assistance may be available through the Flexible Support Fund.
Housing Benefit paid to a UC claimant is exempt from the cap. Claimants can approach their local authority to be considered for a Discretionary Housing Payment. These can be paid to those entitled to Housing Benefit or the housing element of UC who face a shortfall in meeting their rental costs.