A recent report by the Resolution foundation has found-
'The number of people living in absolute poverty is currently projected to rise from 11 million in 2021-22 to 14 million in 2023-24 – a rise from 17 to 21 per cent, including 30 per cent of children. Relative child poverty is projected to reach its highest level since the peaks of the 1990s.'
About responses-
'But the challenge for policy makers is not just about getting through the winter without widespread destitution. Higher energy bills may last, and higher prices of essentials requires a higher level of basic benefits. This means that it is crucial that the default inflation-linked uprating for benefits (including the Basic State Pension) goes ahead in full in April 2023 and April 2024. In addition, the artificial lag between measuring inflation (in September) and uprating benefits (in April) should be reduced: with a permanent shift to at least October-based uprating, which would mean a temporary additional income boost in 2023-24. In periods of high inflation, benefits (particularly Universal Credit) should also be increased more than once per year. Both of these policies would simply speed up
the normal process of benefit uprating catching up with increases in the cost of living. Parts of the benefit system that do not automatically rise in line with prices must also be revisited: Local Housing Allowances and the benefit cap should be uprated in April 2023 rather than remaining permanently frozen.'
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