The number of households in Buckinghamshire hit by the Government’s benefit cap has dramatically increased, new figures reveal.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions, 1,311 households receiving Universal Credit had their income reduced in May.
This shows a 73 per cent rise from February, when the cap affected 759 households. The Government last raised the cap in April 2023, limiting the total benefits a household can receive.
Most benefits only increased by 6.7 per cent in April, and the cap is now £25,323 for families in the city.
The cap forces families into overcrowded homes, with children sharing beds.
Women’s Aid and the Child Poverty Action Group are demanding the Government lift the cap, stating it affects children and survivors of domestic violence.
A DWP spokesperson said: “Despite the dire inheritance this government faces, we are committed to supporting low-income families.
Our ambitious strategy along with a £421 million extension to the Household Support Fund, will ensure we can drive down poverty in Buckinghamshire and every part of the country.”
“We are taking action to support people into work, significantly reducing their likelihood of facing the cap, and spreading opportunity and prosperity to all.”
Campaigners argue, that many families affected by the cap are unable to work because of health, childcare, or other responsibilities.
The discussion has focused heavily on the problem of domestic abuse. The government has designated violence against women and girls as a national emergency.
The debate over the benefit cap continues, with many expecting that reform can help struggling households in Buckinghamshire.
Image: GOV.UK
