Activist group Generation Rent has expressed delight at the government’s lifting of the two child benefit cap, calling it as a “cruel and arbitrary policy.”
The group claims that over 30% of children in Britain are living in relative poverty after housing costs, while for private renting households this number jumps to between 45% and 50%.
However the group has expressed disappointment at the government’s failure to unfreeze the Local Housing Allowance rate which calculates the amount of Housing Benefit tenants can receive.
Generation Rent says only some 2.5% of private rented homes are actually affordable for people claiming housing benefit.
But the group – which is led by a former Labour election candidate – welcomes higher income tax slapped on landlords.
Ben Twomey, Chief Executive of Generation Rent, says: “The two-child benefit cap and frozen housing benefit rate have pulled hundreds of thousands of families into poverty. Ending this cruel and arbitrary policy is the right thing to do, giving families across the country some breathing space.
“But the continuing freeze of housing benefit means many renters will still be forced into making heartbreaking choices between heating and eating in order to pay their rent.
“We also welcome measures to make sure private landlords pay a fairer share of taxes. For too long the tax system has been rigged against renters. Increasing property income tax, alongside increased council tax for higher value homes, will mean those with the broadest shoulders start to pay their fair share.”
This article is taken from Landlord Today