Charity calls for more benefits help

Six out of 10 families on benefits have been pushed into debt in the past two months, according to a childrens’ charity.

Save the Children say more than a third have turned to charities for help with, on average, families claiming Universal Credit or Child Tax Credit taking out loans of more than £1,700 to get by.

The survey of 3,100 parents with children under the age of 18, also found 38 % have been forced to rely on help from charities for food and clothes, half said they are in rent arr ears or behind on household bills and 26% say they are already cutting back on heating and electricity.

Save the Children is warning this winter will be more difficult than ever for many families, with an inevitable rise in heating and other household costs and the prospect of further restrictions and job losses increasing the pressure on already overstretched budgets.

It is calling for families to be provided with an extra £10 per week during the winter months.

The charity’s head of child poverty, Becca Lyon, said: "With winter on its way and more job losses expected, things are about to get even more difficult for families still reeling from the cost of lockdown.

"It' s just not right that parents are having to borrow money, sell their possessions or rely on charity to buy winter coats for their children.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "Universal Credit is providing a vital safety net to those affected by the pandemic and we have provided further support by introducing income protection schemes, mortgage holidays and help for renters.”