Action for Children responds to IFS research ‘Living standards, poverty and inequality in the UK: 2020’

Action for Children’s director of policy and campaigns, Imran Hussain, said:

“Millions of families were struggling even before the coronavirus crisis hit and now they’re quickly reaching breaking point.

“Within just days of lockdown, we saw so many desperate parents we had to set up an emergency fund to help them stay afloat during the crisis with basic essentials like food and clothing. Action for Children’s key workers are battling to help frightened families come out the other side of this but, three months in, we know this is just the tip of the iceberg.

“Years of crippling cuts combined with a troubled roll-out of universal credit meant many families were already fighting to keep their heads above water. The government must act now to throw a lifeline to the growing numbers of vulnerable families by scrapping the five-week wait for Universal Credit and increasing child benefit by £10 a week.”