Why scrapping the household benefit cap is vital for families, children and survivors of abuse

September 2024

Summary

123,0000 households are affected by the household benefit cap. The vast majority – 71 per
cent- are lone parents with children.
The benefit cap limits the total amount a part-time, low-earning or out-of-work household
can receive in benefits, trapping families in deep poverty.
It is having a disproportionate impact on survivors of domestic abuse and on children.
The benefit cap makes it almost impossible to afford private rents. Recent research found
that there were only enough affordable homes across the country to house one in six
capped families.
Increasingly even social rents (typically 30 per cent of market rents) are becoming
unaffordable. In 78 local authority areas in England, average council and/or housing
association rents are unaffordable for capped families.
The benefit cap is therefore contributing to homelessness, as families are trapped in
refuges and other forms of temporary accommodation and are unable to move on to
secure and affordable homes.
The cap is not effective and it is harming those who are already vulnerable. We are calling
for the cap to be scrapped.