Save the Children’s new research shows that 150,000 of the UK’s poorest single working mums could lose up to £68 a week under the new Universal Credit, pushing a quarter of a million children deeper into poverty. The charity's findings also showed that the reforms will affect "second earners" – most of whom are women - with some families losing up to £1800 a year. While many will be helped by the new system, a total of 1.1million families with children will be left poorer after the new changes than they are now.With female unemployment already topping 1m, and mums struggling with cuts to tax credits, childcare support and child benefit, mums from across the UK are using this year's Mother's Day to voice their discontent, many for the first time, about their struggles. Celebrity mums, including Kym Marsh and Karren Brady, have added their voices to the online campaign, helping raise awareness of the silent struggles these mums are faced with on a daily basis.
The Mums United campaign makes three main calls to Chancellor George Osborne for the Budget on 21 March:
- Ensure single working mums keep more of their incomes before losing any benefits, as they are the only earner in the family.
- Ensure second earners keep first £2000 of their earnings without losing any benefits, as main breadwinners do.
- Increase support for childcare costs for low income families from the current level of 70 per cent to 80p er cent, to make sure mums are not priced out of work.
To join Save the Children’s Mums United campaign, please go to www.savethechildren.org.uk/mums-united and sign your name.
