New analysis published today by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) shows the impact parliamentary constituencies could face should they fail to increase benefit rates.
The UK governments decision to increase benefits in line with people’s earnings rather than by the rate of inflation could subject voters to the biggest real-terms permanent cut made in a year.
Benefits are set to rise by 6% even though inflation could hit 10% this month.
JRF’s analysis shows more than two thirds of MPs represent areas where at least 20% of working-age families receive means tested benefits such as universal credit.
Areas with working families on benefits currently hold 193 conservative seats, 180 labour and 34 Scottish National Party.
JRF also discovered:
- Every constituency has at least one in 10 working-age families who would be affected by the suggested cut
- 21% of working age families in Liz Truss’s SW Norfolk constituency will feel the affects
According to researchers, five constituencies could see at least half of all working-age families having their finances upended if the cut goes ahead.
The constituency with the highest percentage of affected families was labour-held Birmingham Hodge Hill, where 61% of families receiving benefits were at risk of losing out.
Areas in Wales where the highest share of working age families will be affected by a potential uprating include Merthyr Tydfil and Rhyney, Rhondda and Cynon Valley, where around 35% of families are affected.
In Scotland, Glasgow South West, Glasgow East and Glasgow North East are most affected, with almost 40% of working-age families affected in those constituencies.
Katie Schmuecker, JRF Principal Policy Adviser said: ‘Politicians should think long and hard about the impact of withholding hundreds of pounds from thousands of families in their constituencies when the basic rate of benefits is already at its lowest in real terms for 40 years and prices are sky-high.
‘It is unconscionable that the government should be considering cutting their ability to pay for what they need.
‘The Government must realise how catastrophic it would be to refuse to respect their own party’s pledge to make sure the value of benefits keeps up with prices.’
JRF also reported that child benefits could be cut, affecting 80% of children across the UK.
In April, child benefits rose by 3.1%, providing families up to £33.80 more a month, but with inflation reaching 10% Scotland’s Child Poverty Action Group have reported 200,000 could face poverty.
Photo by Emil Kalibradov