JRF Challenges Reeves' Growth Agenda, Urging Targeted Policies to Address Poverty

The JRF Report on Poverty in the UK

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), a prominent anti-poverty organization, has challenged Rachel Reeves' claim that her growth agenda will improve living standards in the UK. Instead, the JRF urges the government to strengthen Universal Credit and implement targeted policies to address poverty effectively.

The JRF report highlights that economic growth alone is insufficient to alleviate poverty. Despite a relatively stable poverty rate compared to the previous year, the UK still faces significant challenges. Over 14.3 million people, or more than 1 in 5, live in poverty. This number has remained largely unchanged for 20 years, and projections indicate that one in three children could be in poverty by 2029 if no action is taken.

Removing the two-child benefit cap: This cap prevents parents from claiming Universal Credit or tax credits for any child beyond their third.

This would ensure that housing benefits adequately cover actual rental costs.

This would guarantee a minimum income level for all recipients, preventing them from falling below the poverty line due to benefit deductions.

The JRF emphasizes that the social security system, designed to help people meet their basic needs, is currently failing to do its job. Instead, it is pushing some individuals into deeper poverty through limitations and caps. The report urges the government to prioritize strengthening Universal Credit and implementing targeted policies to effectively address poverty and improve living standards for all.