Catholic Church ‘extremely concerned’ over government's latest welfare cuts

Caritas Social Action Network (CSAN) the official social action agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales has said it is ‘extremely concerned’ over proposed further government cuts to child and housing benefits.

In his speech this morning, David Cameron announced plans to remove Housing Benefit for those under 25, and to limit child benefit payments to families with three children or under.

In a statement today CSAN said: “Child benefit exists to provide for the basic needs of children; imposing limitations on the basis of family size will inevitably deprive children from larger families of essential support. It is important for the focus to remain on supporting children’s health, nutrition and other fundamental requirements, rather than setting arbitrary limits which will not only penalise people for having children, but also disproportionately impact upon parents of larger families who have fallen into difficult financial circumstances”

There is major concern from the Catholic Church that these further restrictions will hurt families who have already faced a restricted cap on the size of their homes and an overall benefit cap, which encompasses child benefit despite strong opposition from the Catholic Church and the UK’s major children’s charities.

Liam Allmark, Public Affairs Officer for CSAN said: “It is worrying that the government would consider introducing a further package of significant limitations and reductions to benefits when we are only starting to see the devastating impact on families from the first round of changes.”

Currently those out of work or on a low income are entitled to housing benefit, at a capped amount. Recent changes have already tightened this weekly allowance, and this proposal goes a step further removing Housing Benefit completely for those who are under twenty five.

Depaul UK, the largest national youth homelessness charity said: “80,000 young people become homeless every year. The majority of these become homeless because of family breakdown. For these young people leaving home is not a financial choice, made easier by the availability of housing benefit. It is a matter of safety, and the safety net of housing benefit enables society to ensure that the most vulnerable are protected.”

For further information see: www.depauluk.org/