CSAN: Welfare changes are undermining family life

Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN), the social action arm has responded to the Government’s Social Justice Progress Report: 'Social Justice: transforming lives, one year on', which was presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions earlier today, 24 April. (See: www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-justice-transforming-lives-one-year-on)

Commenting on the Social Justice Strategy, CSAN’s Public Affairs Officer, Liam Allmark, said: “CSAN believes that families play an integral role in providing a safe and secure environment for children to flourish”

“We welcome the focus on prioritising children’s early years and on preventing family breakdown. However, we feel that the aims of the Social Justice Strategy are at risk of being undermined by many of the welfare changes that are taking place.”

Highlighting CSAN’s concerns with many of the benefit changes that took effect earlier this month, Liam Allmark added: “The household benefit cap introduced last week risks undermining the focus on early intervention and commitment to families. It takes no account of household size and will have a disproportionate impact on larger families. With the average family losing £93 a week in benefits, in many cases it makes more financial sense for parents to separate and register as two distinct households.”

“Support for families and prioritising early years are principles which should be consistent throughout government policy if this strategy is to be effective.”

Source: CSAN