Latest news with #JosephRowntreeFoundation
Leader Live
3 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Mark Isherwood MS for North Wales questions ministers
MS for North Wales Questioning the First Minister, I referred to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and Bevan Foundation 'Poverty in Wales 2025' report, which found little progress in reducing poverty in Wales over the last 20 years and warned that if no action is taken, child poverty in Wales could reach 34 per cent by 2029-30, again making it the highest rate of all UK nations. Questioning the Health and Social Care Secretary, I spoke of the postcode lottery for dementia services across North Wales identified by people living with dementia and their carers during my recent visit to the Wrexham Dementia Hub, and asked how the Welsh Government's new Dementia Action Plan will meet their needs. Speaking in the Debate on the Equality and Social Justice Committee report, 'Anything's Achievable with the Right Support: Tackling the Disability Employment Gap', I spoke of the impact of the closure of the Work and Health Programme, referring to the sector's evidenced concern that the new Programme 'will dilute and therefore reduce support for the many Disabled and Autistic People who want to work'. Senedd engagements included Carers Week 2025, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Cross-Party Group for Co-operatives and Mutuals 'Building a Resilient Food System for Wales', NFU Cymru, Save the Children Cymru's youth-led research project 'Power of Voice'; Cancer: Project Zero and a meeting of the Chairs' Forum of Senedd Committee Chairs. As Chair of the Public Accounts & Public Administration Committee (PAPAC), I met with the Committee's Clerking Team ahead of PAPAC's next meeting on June 18th.. I also met the Welsh Parliament's Legislation Team to discuss the actions required before the formal introduction of my British Sign Language (Wales) Bill and the Explanatory Notes to accompany this (I intend to introduce the Bill on 14th July), and tabled a 'Statement of Opinion' to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15th). Other engagements included a visit to Holywell Community Hospital for a meeting with the Head of Adult Audiology and the Clinical Director of Audiology at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, and a visit to their new Audiology Van; and meeting Nuclear Restoration Services, to discuss nuclear decommissioning in Wales and the potential benefits for North Wales from their management of the Wylfa and Trawsfynydd sites. It is concerning that the Chancellor's Spending Review only announced £445 million over 10 years for rail infrastructure in Wales, around a third of the £1.4billion invested by the previous UK Conservative Government over the last 10 years. For help, email or call 0300 200 7219.
The Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
July 2025 benefits and pension payments dates plus cost of living support
Across the UK, millions of people claim certain benefits to help them cover the cost of living. Around 24 million people in the country are now in receipt of some combination of DWP -administered benefits, which are becoming more essential than ever to grapple with rising costs. As we pass the midway point of the year, the unwelcome shock of April's bill rises may have settled, but many continue to struggle. Increases to benefits, the state pension and the minimum wage will have gone some way to offset these costs, but inflation continues to outstrip incomes for most. Latest figures from millions of low-income households paint a difficult picture of the UK's economic situation. Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation found that more than 1 in 5 people in the UK (21 per cent) were in poverty in 2022/23 – 14.3 million people. Against this difficult economic backdrop, it's important that households are claiming all the support the they entitled to. Research by Policy in Practice shows that £23bn worth of benefits goes unclaimed every year – you can use their helpful calculator to work out what you might be entitled to. Are you having an issue with the DWP or cost of living? Get in touch via email: Here is an overview of the financial support available to households this July and key dates for benefit and state pension recipients to look out for: Benefit payment dates in July Benefit payments will be going out as normal in July as there are no bank holidays. These include: Universal Credit State pension Pension credit Child benefit Disability living allowance Personal independence payment (PIP) Attendance allowance Carer's allowance Employment support allowance Income support Jobseeker's allowance For more information on how and when state benefits are paid, visit the government's website. The DWP is aiming to complete the migration of all 'legacy benefits' to Universal Credit by January 2026. Those receiving tax credits, income support, jobseeker's allowance, and housing benefit should have received a notice about moving to Universal Credit already. Many will also be worried about Labour's planned changes to the welfare system, which amount to £5 million in cuts. There is still some time before these come into effect, with the rates for Universal Credit changing in April next year, followed by the criteria to claim the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) tightening in November. Pension payment dates in July The basic state pension is paid straight into bank accounts similar to how benefits are paid. It is usually paid every four weeks, with the exact day you receive it corresponding to the last two digits of your national insurance (NI) number. Here's when you should be paid based on those numbers: 00 to 19: Monday 20 to 39: Tuesday 40 to 59: Wednesday 60 to 79: Thursday 80 to 99: Friday Have benefit rates gone up? In April, all benefits were uprated by 1.7 per cent, matching the September 2024 inflation figure. The increase applied to all working-age benefits, including universal credit, PIP, DLA, attendance allowance, carer's allowance, ESA and more. Meanwhile, in line with the triple lock, the state pension has risen by 4.1 per cent – up £472 a year – matching wage growth in 2024. Things will change slightly for Universal Credit claimants next year following Labour's welfare announcements. Everyone receiving the benefit's standard allowance will see a one-off above inflation rise by £7 a week from April 2026, taking it from £91 to £98. However, the rate of the additional Universal Credit health element will be frozen from 2026 at £97 until 2029/30 (although those in this group will receive the increased standard allowance). Additionally, any new claimants for the health element after April 2026 will receive a massively reduced rate of £50 a week – almost £2,500 less than the current level. This means it is a good idea for anyone who thinks they might be eligible to apply as soon as they can. Other help available Budgeting advance loans The government offers a 'budgeting advance loan' for people on Universal Credit who face an emergency lack of money. The loan has a maximum repayment period of two years. These loans are interest-free, and automatically deducted from Universal Credit payments. You can borrow an 'advance' of up to: £348 if you're single £464 if you're part of a couple £812 if you or your partner claim Child Benefit Following the Labour Budget in October, a new cap has been introduced on the amount the DWP can deduct from benefit payments to repay loans and debts, including budgeting advance loans. From April 2025, deductions from universal credit will be capped at 15 per cent of the standard allowance, down from 25 per cent. Discretionary Housing Payment Households can apply to their council for a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP), which offers financial support to go towards rent or housing costs. You can only get a DHP if you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. It can cover housing costs for a rent shortfall, rent deposits and rent in advance if you need to move home. Exact eligibility and the funds available are decided on a council-by-council basis, so you will need to get in touch with your local authority to find out more. Household Support Fund The Household Support Fund (HSF), distributed by local councils, offers vital assistance to those facing financial hardship, complementing standard benefits and grants. As part of this government initiative, eligible households throughout the UK can access support such as essential appliances, contributions towards utility bills, and direct cash payments reaching up to £300. Local authorities are free to decide how to allocate their HSF funding to suit households in their area, so exactly what is available will vary. To apply, households need to contact their council (most offer an online form). This nationwide program is set to run until March 2026. The government has committed £1 billion in funding to transition it into a 'Crisis and Resilience Fund', which will also replace the DHP. Charitable grants If you are struggling financially, you may be eligible for certain charitable grants. There are a wide range of grants available depending on your circumstances. However, these grants will typically require you to meet specific criteria and only be able to offer limited funds. Charitable grants are available for people who are disabled or ill, carers, bereaved, unemployed, students – and many more. The charity Turn2us has an online tool to search for grants which may be available to you. Energy provider help A number of energy suppliers offer help for those struggling with their energy bills. These include British Gas, Scottish Power, EDF, and Octopus. It is worth contacting your energy provider to find out if you are eligible. Council tax reduction If you meet certain criteria or are on certain benefits, you may be able to apply for a discount on your council tax discount of up to 100 per cent. Your local council may still be able to offer you a discretionary reduction if you are able to demonstrate you are facing severe hardship and can't afford to pay your council tax. To apply for a council tax reduction, you can contact your local council via the government's website. All working parents in the UK are currently entitled to 30 hours of free childcare for children aged 3 to 4. From 1 April 2024, this entitlement expanded to include 15 hours of free childcare for 2-year-olds. From 1 September, this was expanded again to include all children from the age of nine months. You must apply online and reconfirm your eligibility every three months, in time for each school term. Working parents can also apply for tax-free childcare, giving back 20p for every 80p you put towards childcare, up to a maximum of £500 a year. The final expansion to free childcare, coming in September 2025, will see all children under five eligible for 30 hours. Energy Price Cap: Is it going up? Ofgem's energy price cap will be decreasing from £1,849 to £1,720 for July to September – a drop of 7 per cent. The welcome fall follows three consecutive rises. The energy price cap is the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy if you're on a standard variable tariff. That includes most households. It is expressed as an annual bill for an average home. Mental health support In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@ or visit to find your nearest branch. Mind runs a support line on 0300 102 1234 which provides a safe and confidential place to talk about how you're feeling. There is also an information line on 0300 123 3393 for nearby support, and a welfare benefits line on 0300 222 5782 to support the mental health of those navigating the benefits system. Disability charity Scope has a forum where people can have supportive chats to others going through the same experiences. NHS England offers an online mental health triage service.
ITV News
10-06-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Wales' poverty crisis deepening as more than 1 in 5 living in hardship, new report reveals
Poverty in Wales is deepening, according to a new report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) and the Bevan Foundation. The study also claims there has been little progress in reducing poverty in Wales over the past 20 years, with poverty rates remaining at around 21–22%. According to the 'Poverty in Wales' report, published on Tuesday, more than 1 in 5 people in Wales (22%) – which is around 700,000 people – are living in poverty. Of these, 400,000 are working-age adults (21%), 200,000 are children (31%) and 100,000 are pensioners (16%). The report warns that if no action is taken, child poverty in Wales could reach 34% by 2029-30, which would make it the highest rate of all UK nations. The highest child poverty rates by local authority are Blaenau Gwent (34%), Merthyr Tydfil, Ceredigion and Newport (32%), and the Isle of Anglesey and Pembrokeshire (31%). The Welsh Government says it is determined to do all it can to prevent people from going into poverty and to help those who need support the most. The findings also reveal that nearly half a million people in Wales lived in deep poverty in 2020-23, with 310,000 in very deep poverty. Households below 50% of the median household income are defined as living in deep poverty and those living below 40% are defined as being in very deep poverty. Dr Victoria Winckler, Director at the Bevan Foundation, said: "It is shocking that there has been no progress reducing poverty in Wales in the last twenty years. "Even worse, more people are in deep poverty than ever before, forced to use food banks, unable to heat their homes, watching every penny. 'The report shows that the root causes are many years of cuts to social security coupled with a severe shortage of decent jobs and affordable housing. The steps taken by the Welsh Government to alleviate poverty are welcome, but there is much more to do. 'As political parties gear up for the next Senedd election, we urge them to commit to practical, deliverable action to end poverty." Chris Birt, JRF Associate Director for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland said: "Deepening poverty and a child poverty rate of almost one in three in Wales should be a stark wake up call to both the UK Government and all parties aspiring to form the next Welsh Government. "The Senedd has significant powers that contribute to improving people in Wales's standard of living. Driving down costs, better connecting communities, providing affordable housing and breaking down barriers to employment are all things they can do to reduce poverty. 'But the scale of the challenge needs to be met by the scale of the response. The same is of course true of the UK Government. The threadbare social security system is their responsibility, and it drives much hardship. A good place to start reversing that would be casting the two-child limit into history as quickly as possible. 'There is much work to be done by both the Welsh and UK Governments, but the prize is a Wales where people are able to explore their potential and be free from hardship – something that is miles from reality for far too many people today.' In response to the report, the Welsh Government says it recognises that it is a "challenging time" for many children, families and communities in Wales, and is determined to do all it can to prevent people from going into poverty and help those who need support the most. A Welsh Government spokesperson said: "Our commitment is backed by substantial investment of nearly £7bn between 2022-2026 to reduce costs and maximise incomes for Welsh families. "Our child poverty strategy sets out how we will use the levers we have to deliver against our ambitious objectives to support families most in need. "We will continue to call for positive changes in social security policy to tackle child poverty, particularly seeking a commitment to end the two child benefit rule."
Leader Live
09-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham case as extent of unclaimed Child Trust Funds revealed
Almost half (46.1%) of that belongs to those from low-income backgrounds who may need the money most. As of the end of May, nearly 35,000 young people across the country are unaware of their accounts and don't have access to what is rightfully theirs, according to figures from The Share Foundation. The data comes as child poverty in Wales is set to reach its highest rate in 30 years, with the Joseph Rowntree Foundation warning that more than 34% of children could be living in low-income families by the end of the decade. The Share Foundation, a registered charity that runs Junior ISA and Child Trust Fund schemes for young people in care throughout the UK on behalf of the Department for Education, is calling for the government to introduce automatic release of HMRC-allocated Child Trust Fund money when recipients turn 21. Under the proposal, countersigned by former Minister Ruth Kelly and parliamentarians from both Houses, account providers would be required to close and pay out proceeds via Government National Insurance channels for all unclaimed HMRC-allocated matured Child Trust Funds. 'Child poverty is becoming one of the big issues of our time,' commented Gavin Oldham OBE, Chair of Trustees at The Share Foundation. 'We need to break the cycle of deprivation which is why, over the past 12 years, we have been committed to establishing starter capital accounts for young people in care and helping young people from low-income backgrounds access Child Trust Funds they never even knew existed. "These initiatives are delivering positive outcomes exactly when families need them most.' To date, The Share Foundation has matched more than 85,000 young people with their Child Trust Funds, recovering over £165 million for young adult account owners through its free search facility developed with HMRC and Child Trust Fund account providers. The charity's mission is to encourage and facilitate inter-generational rebalancing by providing young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with both material resources and life skills knowledge to achieve their potential in adult life. TOP STORIES TODAY One of those who has discovered that he was entitled to the funds was Corey Polley from Wrexham. The 20-year-old has been self-employed for the last three years, doing timber framing. About two years ago, he found out about the Child Trust Fund through a family member. He used the Share Foundation website to see where his fund was held, a process which took 'about a week'. He claimed around £800 which has paid for his tools which was really important for him in his job, as otherwise it would have been harder for him to progress his career with the tools he had before. He has since told his friends who have also claimed their money. Corey said: 'Finding out about this money has been a massive help. I had no idea it even existed and it came at the perfect time when I was starting out in my career. "So many young people like me still don't know the child trust fund exists, so The Share Foundation's proposal for young people to get their fund automatically paid when they turn 21 makes a lot of sense. It could give other young people the same head start I got.'
South Wales Argus
02-06-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Mum's rent petition signed by more than 40000 people
Bridget, from Darlington, is campaigning to limit rent rises for tenants. She says: "My landlord recently hiked my rent by £100. I've been renting privately all my adult life, but getting a sudden rent hike still comes as a shock and has been very stressful, especially as the landlord gave us just one month's notice. "This is nearly a 20% increase. As a single parent living with my two children, with one income to live on, the impact will ripple through my life. I feel broken down by this system." The petition, which can be signed here, is still growing. This isn't the first issue Bridget has had with rented homes, after extreme damp in a previous home led to a hospital trip after she developed pneumonia. "I hoped this new home would be better, but once again, I've suffered a huge blow to my security," she says. "Rents in my local area in County Durham are high, and I cannot simply jump to another more affordable option." She - like many others - is also facing increased bills and food costs. "I was already struggling to cover my essentials; this shock rent rise will put even more of a strain on me," she says. "My mental health has been badly affected, and I worry about the long-term impact this will have on myself and my family." Important reforms in the Renters' Rights Bill are currently passing through Parliament. These will help to make renting fairer in England, including ending Section 21 evictions, which currently allow landlords to evict tenants without needing a reason. "But they do nothing to stop shock rent rises like the one my family has faced," says Bridget. "While the government says tenants will be able to challenge 'unreasonable' rent rises at tribunal, decisions will be based on what the rent would be if your home was re-let – not what you can afford. "As long as landlords can price their tenants out of their own homes with unaffordable rent rises, renters will still effectively face unfair evictions and be threatened with homelessness." Private renters are being HIT with relentless rent hikes. The impact? Thousands are being pushed into debt and homelessness. It's time for change. Sign our petition and demand better⤵️ — Generation Rent (@genrentuk) May 12, 2025 Research from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation showing more than a third of private renters are living in poverty after housing costs. Meanwhile, Generation Rent's research has shown 9/10 renters say the experience of renting has negatively impacted their mental health. Generation Rent's winter 2024 survey found that the majority of renters (61%) reported that their landlord had asked them to pay a higher rent in the past 12 months with almost a quarter (24%) reported an increase over £100. This compares to just 9% reporting hikes of this size in July 2022, almost a threefold increase. Meanwhile, the 2024 English Private Landlord survey found one in five landlords hiked the rent by 15% or more the last time they renewed or extended a tenancy. The most common reason that renters reported they had been given for their rent increases, was not because their landlord faced increased costs, or was struggling more, it was simply because of the rising rewards of the market. Recommended reading: Almost a third (31%) of landlords had blamed higher market rents, while a further 7% stated that the increase was because of letting agent advice. The petition adds: "This is indefensible. If renters are to finally feel secure in our own homes, we need protections from shock rent rises. "Private landlords should not be able to raise the rent higher than inflation or wages. The Government can and must act to change this." Sign my petition, which has the full backing of Generation Rent, to demand the government introduces a cap on how much landlords can raise the rent.
