The UK government is facing strong pressure to give more help to low-income families through a new weekly child payment. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is being urged to provide a £27 benefit per child every week to help tackle the growing child poverty crisis. Rising costs of food, rent, and energy have made it very hard for many families to afford basic needs.
A recent report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation shows that more children are living in poverty, especially in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. While Universal Credit and other benefits offer some support, many people say it is not enough. Campaigners believe a new weekly payment, like the one already working in Scotland, can make a big difference.
Scotland already gives £26.70 every week per child to families on benefits, and this has helped reduce poverty there. Supporters of the new plan want to see similar help given to families across the rest of the UK. If introduced, the £27 payment could bring relief to struggling households and improve the lives of millions of children.
Rising Child Poverty in the UK
Many families in the UK are finding it harder to pay for basic living costs. Inflation has pushed up prices for food, rent, and electricity. While benefits like Universal Credit are meant to help, they haven’t kept up with rising prices.
A major problem is the two-child benefit limit, which was introduced in 2017. It stops families from getting extra support for a third or later child. Because of this rule, around 1.5 million children in larger families are living with less help.
If the current rules don’t change, experts say child poverty in England could rise to over 4 million children by 2025.
How Scotland is Leading the Way
Scotland’s government started a special child payment in 2021. It gives families £26.70 per child every week if they are already receiving benefits.
Quick Facts:
- Started by: Scottish National Party (SNP)
- Amount: £26.70 per child
- Who gets it: Families on benefits
- How often: Every four weeks
- Kids helped: Over 330,000
- Adjustments: Reviewed yearly to match inflation
Reports show that this plan has helped cut down child poverty more effectively in Scotland compared to the rest of the UK.
What the £27 Weekly Payment Could Look Like
Campaigners are asking the DWP to launch a similar plan across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Here’s how the new £27 payment might work:
- Who can get it: Families already getting Universal Credit, Income Support, or Child Tax Credit
- Amount: £27 per child under 18, every week
- Where: Across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland
- Inflation protection: Reviewed yearly
- How it’s paid: Direct bank transfer using the current benefits system
If approved, it could help more than 500,000 children escape poverty in the first year alone.
Why This Payment Matters
Giving families £27 each week for every child could bring several big benefits.
1. Helping Families Now
Families would have more money to buy food, pay bills, and support their children’s needs. This means less daily stress and more stability.
2. Boosting the Economy
Studies show that child benefits bring long-term value. For every £1 spent, the economy gains £2.30 later through better jobs and stronger communities.
3. Easing the Load on Public Services
With less poverty, there could be fewer hospital visits, less crime, and less need for emergency aid, which saves public money.
4. Better Education for Kids
When children live in stable homes, they do better in school. This leads to more success later in life.
What Are the Challenges?
Even though there is growing support for this idea, the government has some concerns:
- Cost Issues: The plan would need a lot of money. Some worry it may lead to higher taxes or cuts elsewhere.
- Political Debate: Some leaders think job programs are a better way to fight poverty than raising benefits.
- System Changes Needed: The current system would need to be updated, which may take time and money.
But many experts argue that doing nothing would be more expensive in the long run.
Will the Government Say Yes?
Right now, the DWP is under pressure to make a decision. Campaigners, charities, and the public are calling for urgent action to protect children from growing poverty. The success of Scotland’s child payment shows that this kind of help can work.
If the UK government chooses to act, millions of families across the country could finally get the help they need. But if the plan is delayed or rejected, many children may continue to suffer in poverty.
The next move is up to the policymakers—will they support this plan, or stick with the current system?