Posted: 6.43pm Tuesday 2 December 2008
Debate and Comment
This article should be read after: » Welfare reform will risk increase in childhood poverty
'Single parents are working hard to stand still'
by Kate, Dorset
I am appalled at the government’s new welfare reforms. Most single parents won’t be able to work full-time as it’s so exhausting bringing up your child alone.
And it’s all for just a few extra quid a week, when the deductions are taken off.
If you need to buy your child a new pair of shoes for school it can cost £40.
You would have to put every penny you have earned for two weeks towards those shoes. It means working hard just to stand still.
What do you do when your child is off sick from school? Will you have to leave them in the house alone?
Back to work agencies only lend you support to get you into work—if you end up in the low pay trap they don’t care because you are off their books.
I was doing 30 hours work a week cleaning hospital toilets and wards. Three years later I have £1,800 council tax arrears and £900 rent arrears due to erratic housing benefit payments.
I pity all single parents pushed into work when their young children are an already massive commitment.
Do the welfare reforms deal with child poverty in this country at last? No.
The following should be read alongside this article:
» Welfare reform will risk increase in childhood poverty
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