The Committee for Employment and Social Security has proposed an increase to non-contributory benefit rates of 6.8% by January 2024.
It also wants to “adjust the point at which a parent in receipt of income support who is primarily responsible for childcare is required to work part-time”.
At the moment this point is when their youngest child turns five. ESS wants to change this to when the youngest child turns three.
“Although the Committee appreciates that it’s a perfectly valid choice for parents to leave the workforce to fulfil childcare responsibilities, the current system of financial support enables some eligible parents to leave the workforce for longer than the majority of working age parents who do not receive income support, which the Committee thinks is unfair,” said the Vice-President of ESS, Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez.
“This change also aims to bolster the workforce and will potentially lead to more children benefiting from extended pre-school education and all the associated educational, developmental, and social advantages.”
If successful in getting its Policy Letter approved, the Committee wants to implement the change by 1 September 2024.
“The Committee is also proposing to increase the amount of carer’s allowance that is disregarded when calculating entitlement to income support from £40 to £50 per week,” said ESS.
“This ensures that increased financial support for carers is targeted towards lower-income households.”