Removing the £20-a-week universal credit uplift could result in an additional 1,500 children entering care each year, according to a new academic study. The modelling predicts a 5% increase in children in care and 5,500 extra children placed on child protection plans, with thousands more formally classified as 'in need' after social services referrals.
Researchers estimate the cost to councils of increased safeguarding services would be £100m annually. Poverty is closely linked to parental stress, mental illness, and domestic violence, all risk factors for child protection intervention. The study estimates 290,000 UK children live in households that will fall below the poverty line once the £1,050-a-year uplift is withdrawn.
The authors urged the government to abandon plans to cut universal credit from next month. Combined with national insurance rises and soaring food and energy bills, some families could be £1,750 worse off by April. 'Put simply, it is more difficult to keep children safe from adversity if families are living in material hardship,' said co-author David Taylor-Robinson of the University of Liverpool.
Although the government is reportedly considering mitigating the cut for some claimants, researchers said this would have a 'marginal' effect. Josh MacAlister, head of the government-commissioned children's social care review, said he would examine the findings. Charlotte Ramsden of the Association of Directors of Children's Services said the research 'should reinforce the need for urgent action.'
A government spokesperson said: 'We have put in place unprecedented welfare support... Helping people back into work is the best way to end the cycle of poverty.' They cited the Plan for Jobs and investment in charities and family hubs, as well as the independent review of children's social care.
