Women’s equality in the UK – A health check

13.49
13.50
13.51
Case Study: 115
Blanca, a 39 year old Latin American woman, had to leave her job as a result of her disability
and depression. She was informed by the Council that her Housing Benefit was going to be
reduced. She had to leave her house and was unable to secure other accommodation. She
also had an outstanding debt that she was unable to cover. As a result of the pressure she
was admitted into hospital. Her English is poor so she did not know how to access disability
related benefits. With help she is now receiving benefits but her stress levels are going up
again as a result of anxiety about the forthcoming cuts and the changes in the system.
Recommendation:
Create a fair simplified system which assesses disabled women’s gender and
disability specific needs and entitles them to benefits accordingly. The system must
assess disability, housing and income benefit entitlement on a case by case basis,
rather than impose a ‘one size fits all’ model on disabled women
Single mothers
Measures introduced in the Welfare Reform Act 2012 mean that unemployed lone parents
whose children are over five are now moved from Income Support to JSA and are therefore
required to seek and be available for work. Failure to comply with the work-seeking requirements
of JSA can result in removal of benefits. This measure disproportionately affects women as
women head over 90% of lone parent households. 116
The Fawcett Society estimates single mothers will lose an average 8.5% of their income after tax
by 2015 - the equivalent of more than a month’s income each year. 117 This is in stark contrast to
the loss of income of 7.5% for single fathers, 6.5% for couples with children and 2.5% for couples
without children. 118 By 2014/5, lone mothers will lose public services worth 18.5% of their income,
compared to 6.8% for the average household 119 and lone parents will lose services worth £1,900
each year due to the spending cuts. 120
Lone parents will be particularly badly affected by the cut in Childcare Tax Credit since they
have to meet childcare costs out of one income and do not have a partner to share these
costs. They will also potentially be affected by changes to Income Support, the benefit cap and
charges for use of the new child support scheme. The proposals for The Work Programme 121
state that childcare costs will not be met, which will cause particular problems for lone parents.
One report found that many single mothers would not be able to afford to work at all under the
new Childcare Tax Credit proposals which are anticipated under Universal Credit. 122 (See Article
11) Although lone parents will not be obliged to take work that does not fit round their caring
responsibilities, in practice organisations like Gingerbread have shown that, nationally, benefits
advisors do not always show understanding of the particular situation that lone parents face,
115. Latin American Women’s Rights Service http://www.lawrs.org.uk/ Accessed: 22/03/13
116. Rake, K. and Rotheroe, A. (2009) Are Women Bearing the Burden of the Recession? The Fawcett Society: London http://tinyurl.com/
cb4jo9w
117. The Fawcett Society (2011) Single mothers: singled out - the impact of 2010-15 tax and benefit changes on women and men. Fawcett:
London http://tinyurl.com/c3k5lxz
118. The Fawcett Society (2011) Single mothers: singled out - the impact of 2010-15 tax and benefit changes on women and men. Fawcett:
London http://tinyurl.com/c3k5lxz
119. Women’s Budget Group (2011) The Impact on Women of the Budget 2011. WBG: London http://wbg.org.uk/RRB_Reports_7_282363355.pdf
120. Trades Union Congress (2011) Where the money goes: How we benefit from public services. TUC: London http://tinyurl.com/3oeuavu
121. Department for Work and Pensions, The Work Programme https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/helping-people-to-find-and-stay-inwork/supporting-pages/managing-the-work-programme
Accessed: 19/04/13
122. Hirsch, D. (2011) Childcare Support and the Hours Trap. Resolution Foundation and Gingerbread http://www.resolutionfoundation.org/
media/media/downloads/Childcare_support__the_hours_trap.pdf
123. Gingerbread (2010) Changes to Single Parent Welfare Entitlements: Income Support to Job Seekers Allowance switch http://tinyurl.com/
busn9vb
144 Women’s equality in the UK: CEDAW shadow report 2013