Policy and Politics
Bishop warns that welfare reforms risk driving children into poverty
The Bishop of York has warned that cuts to benefits proposed in the Welfare Reform Bill risk driving poor families into poverty.
In a lecture at the Children’s Society, Dr John Sentamu said that the Bill risked driving children into poverty.
‘With the passage of Government legislation currently in the House of Lords, including the Welfare Reform Bill, the finances of many of the most vulnerable households will be seriously affected, ‘ he said, giving the Edward Rudolf Lecture.
‘Any Government legislation whose unintended consequence is to drive households into poverty, particularly those households who currently have the lowest incomes, will affect seriously our children’s well-being.
‘Of course, all parents have a duty and a responsibility to nurture their children and support them into adulthood. And many, many parents do this. But we must all guard against putting up barriers which make it harder for parents to carry out their God-given responsibility as parents.'
Dr Sentamu is one of 18 bishops who sit in the House of Lords, who have recently written to the Government to question plans for the £26,000 benefit cap, warning of ‘a deleterious and chilling effect on children.’
On Wednesday, the House of Lords defeated the Government by rejecting plans to cut Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) to a year for ESA claimants, extending it to two-years before they are means-tested.
They also voted to retain automatic eligibility for ESA for young disabled people who are unable to work and to exempt cancer patients from the proposed ESA limit.
Peers are set to debate the plan to introduce the £26,000 benefit cap in two weeks time.
