New research published by Scottish Parliament on the cumulative impact of welfare reform on households in Scotland.
Research | 03.03.15
Parents and people with disabilities are being hit hardest by the UK Government’s programme of welfare reform according to new research commissioned by the Scottish Parliament’s Welfare Reform Committee.
The report, published today, represents the first time the impact of the UK Government’s welfare reform agenda on different household types in Scotland has been quantified.
The research for the Committee was conducted by Professors Christina Beatty and Steve Fothergill of the Centre for Regional Economic and Social Research at Sheffield Hallam University.
The new evidence shows that in Scotland, it is estimated that couples with dependent children will lose an average of more than £1,400 a year, and lone parents with dependent children stand to lose an average of around £1,800 a year from their income stream.
In all, families with children will lose an estimated £960m a year – approaching two-thirds of the overall financial loss in Scotland.
Disabled claimants and those with health problems have also been shown to be disproportionately affected. Reductions in incapacity benefits are estimated to average £2,000 a year, and some of the same people also face big losses in Disability Living Allowance and reductions in other benefits.
For more information visit:
