At With Kids, we are passionate about working with parents from vulnerable families to improve their overall life, so when we heard about the introduction of the Universal Credit in October 2013, we couldn’t help feeling concerned.
A recent article in The Telegraph entitled ‘Benefit reforms: blatant discrimination against young parents’ highlights how this new system will not only have a detrimental financial impact, but also an emotional implication which is equally, if not more damaging.
According to the Government, the Universal Credit has been designed to “radically simplify the welfare system to make work pay and combat worklessness and poverty.” If nothing else, the new benefit reforms will have the opposing effect, especially for young, single mothers below the age of 25.
“Under Universal Credit, single parents under the age of 25 will no longer be entitled to receive the higher rate of personal allowance. Instead, they will receive the same rate as an under 25 without any children.” What is more alarming however is the Government’s lack of understanding that this will cut a much deeper wound than simply having to ease up on a few luxuries each month. The article points out how the briefing states “The Government has acknowledged that changes to personal allowances for under 25’s in Universal Credit will push 100,000 more people into poverty.”
As if that statistic isn’t shocking enough, the evident dismissal of the obvious mental health consequences is unforgivable. Not only will this increase levels of stress, it has the potential to completely unfasten young, single parents from society. With a negative reputation already carved out by the media, single parents under the age of 25 are already battling through a storm of unfair judgement where they are often perceived as only having children in order to claim benefits.
It is difficult to understand the Government’s thinking behind this, because with so much emphasis being placed upon getting people back to work and ensuring they are well educated, the Universal Credit system is a complete contradiction. Contrary to what is publicised in the media; young, single parents are no different from older, mature parents. They still want what is best for their child, and if that means returning to education to do a part time course, many are more than willing to do so.
An episode of ‘One Born Every Minute’ that was aired recently on Channel 4 documented a young, 18 year old single mother’s journey with her new baby. She explained how she was from a deprived background where her Dad was constantly in and out of prison, and how she left school at 16 with no educational qualifications. It was evident how she was determined to make a better life for her child and wanted to return to college. She saw her situation as an opportunity, not a burden.
Instead of making this easier, the introduction of the Universal Credit system will only limit this possibility by putting extra strain on young parents by causing unnecessary levels of stress. This will drive away motivation of wanting to return to education, and as a result they will feel deflated, disconnected and depressed.
What the Government fails to understand is that single parents have aspirations as well. They are tired of being negatively looked down upon, and those who actually want to make something of themselves and find a sense of belonging are being severely restricted.
A recent article in The Telegraph entitled ‘Benefit reforms: blatant discrimination against young parents’ highlights how this new system will not only have a detrimental financial impact, but also an emotional implication which is equally, if not more damaging.
According to the Government, the Universal Credit has been designed to “radically simplify the welfare system to make work pay and combat worklessness and poverty.” If nothing else, the new benefit reforms will have the opposing effect, especially for young, single mothers below the age of 25.
“Under Universal Credit, single parents under the age of 25 will no longer be entitled to receive the higher rate of personal allowance. Instead, they will receive the same rate as an under 25 without any children.” What is more alarming however is the Government’s lack of understanding that this will cut a much deeper wound than simply having to ease up on a few luxuries each month. The article points out how the briefing states “The Government has acknowledged that changes to personal allowances for under 25’s in Universal Credit will push 100,000 more people into poverty.”
As if that statistic isn’t shocking enough, the evident dismissal of the obvious mental health consequences is unforgivable. Not only will this increase levels of stress, it has the potential to completely unfasten young, single parents from society. With a negative reputation already carved out by the media, single parents under the age of 25 are already battling through a storm of unfair judgement where they are often perceived as only having children in order to claim benefits.
It is difficult to understand the Government’s thinking behind this, because with so much emphasis being placed upon getting people back to work and ensuring they are well educated, the Universal Credit system is a complete contradiction. Contrary to what is publicised in the media; young, single parents are no different from older, mature parents. They still want what is best for their child, and if that means returning to education to do a part time course, many are more than willing to do so.
An episode of ‘One Born Every Minute’ that was aired recently on Channel 4 documented a young, 18 year old single mother’s journey with her new baby. She explained how she was from a deprived background where her Dad was constantly in and out of prison, and how she left school at 16 with no educational qualifications. It was evident how she was determined to make a better life for her child and wanted to return to college. She saw her situation as an opportunity, not a burden.
Instead of making this easier, the introduction of the Universal Credit system will only limit this possibility by putting extra strain on young parents by causing unnecessary levels of stress. This will drive away motivation of wanting to return to education, and as a result they will feel deflated, disconnected and depressed.
What the Government fails to understand is that single parents have aspirations as well. They are tired of being negatively looked down upon, and those who actually want to make something of themselves and find a sense of belonging are being severely restricted.
With Kids understands the financial and emotional strain of raising a child independently, and working with vulnerable families in the East End of Glasgow has enlightened us to how important it is that parents are supported both financially and emotionally.
It is evident to us that the introduction of the Universal Credit system will only add to the already high levels of stress and anxiety experienced in young single parents. Arguably, it costs more to provide for a child if the parent is young because the experience is missing, and this is something that establishes itself in more mature parents.
With the introduction of benefit reforms, the work of With Kids is vitally important to ensure that vulnerable parents and families feel supported and positively encouraged. We work hard to reinforce the gap that has been created, and your support is very much appreciated.
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