“A important step in tackling in-work poverty” – JRF responds to the budget

Following news that the Government is to put £1.7 billion into increasing the work allowances in Universal Credit, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) said today's Budget is an important step in tackling the problem of in-work poverty.

JRF Chief Executive Campbell Robb said:

“In the Budget today the Government has taken an important step forward in addressing a burning injustice – the rise of poverty among working families. This move will help make Universal Credit a tool for tackling poverty, and ease the burden for low income families. 

“JRF has been working with other organisations, politicians of all stripes and, most importantly, people living in poverty themselves, to make the case for this crucial change. 

“We will continue to work contructively with the Government to reform Universal Credit so that the needs of the people who rely on it come first. The public supports this, the Government supports this and it is what needs to happen in a just and compassionate society. However with 14 million people living in poverty, the government needs to be emboldened to carry out serious social reform to make this a country that works for everyone."