Open Letter to Mayor Andy Burnham: Greater Manchester Charities Call for Urgent Action on Child Poverty

Today, local Citizens Advice charities across Greater Manchester have come together to publish this open letter to Mayor Andy Burnham.

We are urging him to publicly call on the UK government to scrap the two-child limit and benefit cap - two harmful policies that are driving more children and families into poverty across our region.

As frontline services supporting over 100,000 people each year, we see first-hand the impact these policies have. With the government’s Child Poverty Strategy expected next month, we believe now is the moment for bold, vocal leadership.

This letter is a united call from the Citizens Advice Greater Manchester coalition.

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Dear Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester

We are writing as a coalition of local Citizens Advice charities, operating in Greater Manchester. Together we help over 100,000 local people every year with issues relating to cost-of-living, housing, employment and much more. 

We are increasingly concerned that recent reports suggest the UK government will not include a commitment to scrap the two-child limit and benefit cap as part of their Child Poverty Strategy in June. As the Mayor for Greater Manchester, you have a strong influence with your Labour colleagues in Westminster. We are asking you to use this influence to urge the UK government to ensure these essential social security measures are included in the forthcoming strategy this year. 

Scrapping the two-child limit is by far the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. Nationally, it would lift 350,000 children out of poverty overnight and result in 700,000 children living in less deep poverty.

As you’ll be aware, many children and families in Greater Manchester suffer severe hardship as a direct result of the two-child limit and benefit cap. 

Around half the people we help with debt advice are in a negative budget, where their essential costs exceed their income, leaving them unable to repay existing debts and at constant risk of falling further into debt just to get by. The situation has been worsened by sharp increases in living costs, including rent, energy, and food.

Since the start of the 2020/21 financial year, the number of people we support with homelessness-related issues has risen by more than 150%. Over two in five of those we help with homelessness issues have children.

We are clear - if the forthcoming strategy fails to make these commitments, then child poverty will be significantly higher at the end of this parliament than when the UK government took office making this the first time a Labour government would leave such a legacy. This hardship will be compounded by planned cuts to disability benefits. 

As a coalition of local Citizens Advice charities, we urge you to write to the Prime Minister and Chancellor of the Exchequer and publicly call for the two-child limit and benefit cap to be scrapped.

We would be very happy to meet with you to discuss this, and other issues impacting the region, at your earliest convenience.

Yours sincerely,

The Citizens Advice Greater Manchester coalition, comprising:

Citizens Advice Stockport, Oldham, Rochdale and Trafford

Citizens Advice Salford

Citizens Advice Manchester

Citizens Advice Bury and Bolton

Citizens Advice Wigan

Citizens Advice Tameside

-Ends

Press contact:
Hayley Wright
Communications and Engagement Manager
hayley.wright@casort.org