Universal Credit Cuts Hit Families With Children Hardest

Families with children are the biggest losers under the cuts made to universal credit since it was first established, with some families left thousands of pounds worse off, according to a new analysis. The study by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) says that a series of cuts and changes have left the government’s flagship welfare overhaul failing to meet its original aims. Lone parent families will be on average £2,380 a year worse off, while families with two children lose £1,100 on average and those with three youngsters lose £2,540. Although universal credit was intended to boost household incomes by strengthening incentives for claimants to move into work or take on more hours, most families will be worse off than under the scheme’s original design, it says. Download the research from the CPAG website.