The Spring Statement is a dire outcome for families that need it the most

In response to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, Buttle UK has this to say:

We are devastated to see further cuts to disability benefits become a reality. Cutting disability benefits will undoubtedly worsen child poverty. Almost half (51%) of families supported by frontline workers have a parent/carer with a physical illness or disability. These are the families that we help everyday through our grants. They are already struggling, they cannot afford any cuts to their income.

Already children living in poverty are not sleeping well due to being cold from not having enough to pay for gas, or due to overcrowding, they are going to school hungry because they do not have enough food in the house, and are struggling through the school day. The chancellor needs to recognise the knock-on effect that the decisions made today will have on children who are already struggling – it’s a dire outcome for families who need government help the most.

Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that there are 900,000 children in families where someone is unable to work for health reasons. These cuts could reduce family monthly income by almost £1,000 where 1 person is in work and the other unable to due to health reasons.

This is incredibly dangerous for the families we support through our grants and can only negatively affect children who are already struggling with poverty and crisis.