Himmah is proud to have contributed to groundbreaking new research on the impact of Universal Credit (UC) sanctions on single-parent families. The report, titled "They are sanctioning the children": The effect of a punitive Universal Credit regime on single-parent families in the UK, was published by single-parent charity Gingerbread in partnership with Himmah and Home Start Lambeth.
Key Findings
The research, which included interviews conducted by Himmah, revealed several concerning trends:
- Insufficient Support: Universal Credit payments are often inadequate to meet single-parent families' basic living costs.
- Confusing and Hostile System: Many single parents find the UC system complex and difficult to navigate, with some describing it as deliberately hostile.
- Increased Risk of Sanctions: Single parents face a higher risk of being sanctioned, often due to childcare issues or family emergencies.
- Severe Financial Impact: Sanctions can push families into crisis, forcing them to rely on food banks and high-interest loans.
- Mental Health Toll: The stress of potential sanctions and financial instability significantly impacts single parents' mental health.
- Work Coach Relationships: While some positive experiences were reported, their work coaches misunderstood many single parents.
Recommendations
The report calls for several fundamental changes:
- Ensure UC rates reflect actual living costs
- Abolish the two-child limit and benefit cap
- Reform or abolish the sanctions system
- Introduce specialist single-parent work coaches
Himmah's Involvement
Himmah played a crucial role in this research by interviewing single parents from diverse backgrounds. Our involvement helped ensure the report captured various experiences and perspectives.
"This report sheds light on the real struggles faced by single-parent families in our community," said Safiya Truchet - Himmah staff member. "We're proud to have contributed to this important work and hope it leads to meaningful changes in the UC system."