Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Child Poverty

Monday 9 March 2020 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department reported 743,000 fewer children in workless households compared to 2010.
  • Universal credit covers 85 percent of eligible childcare costs in arrears.
  • The two-child policy is not aimed at reducing child poverty but ensures fairness between claimants and those supporting themselves through work.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Stephen Morgan Lab Rotherham
Economy Children & Families
Context

The Child Poverty Action Group has published a study detailing the impact of child poverty on health, education, and social lives.

Question

What recent assessment has been made by the Department regarding trends in the level of child poverty? The report highlighted children going hungry and ashamed to invite friends home due to lack of food.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Therese Coffey

There are 743,000 fewer children in workless households compared with 2010. The evidence shows that work is the best route out of poverty. A child living in a household where all adults work is about five times less likely to be in poverty than children in households where nobody works.

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Q2 Laura Trott Con Dayton
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

Families struggle with the up-front costs of childcare.

Question

What help is being given to families to cover the upfront costs of childcare?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Therese Coffey

Universal credit works with payments in arrears, covering 85% of eligible childcare costs compared to 70% under the legacy system. The flexible support fund can also be used to help with such costs.

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Q3 Mike Amesbury Lab Chesterfield
Benefits & Welfare Children & Families
Context

According to the Department's figures, most households affected by the two-child limit are in work but on low incomes.

Question

Will the Minister speak with the Chancellor to end the two-child policy this week during the Budget? The policy pushes working families further into poverty and undermines social security support for them.

Answer from The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Therese Coffey

Child benefit continues to be paid for all children, with an additional amount for disabled children. The two-child policy is not targeted to reduce child poverty but ensures fairness between claimants and those supporting themselves through work.

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