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<p>National statistics on the number and percentage of children in low income are
published annually in the “Households Below Average Income” publication, and can be
found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/households-below-average-income-for-financial-years-ending-1995-to-2021"
target="_blank">Households below average income: for financial years ending 1995 to
2021 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)</a></p><p> </p><p>Latest statistics
for the levels of children who are in low income in York are published in “Children
in Low Income Families”, and can be found at: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/children-in-low-income-families-local-area-statistics-2014-to-2021"
target="_blank">Children in low income families: local area statistics 2014 to2021
- GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)(opens in a new tab)</a></p><p> </p><p>Due to methodological
differences, the figures in these two publications are not comparable.</p><p> </p><p>The
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions is currently conducting his statutory annual
review of State Pensions and benefit rates. The outcome of that review will be announced
in due course.</p><p> </p><p>With 1.25 million job vacancies across the UK, our focus
remains firmly on supporting parents to move into, and progress in work, an approach
which is based on clear evidence about the importance of parental employment - particularly
where it is full-time - in substantially reducing the risks of child poverty.</p><p>
</p><p>To support parents to progress in work, we are extending the support jobcentres
provide to people in work and on low incomes to help them to increase their earnings
and move into better paid quality jobs. The new in-work progression offer started
to roll-out from April 2022. Once fully rolled out, we estimate that around 2.1m low-paid
benefit claimants will be eligible for support. This will be provided by work coaches
and focus on removing barriers to progression such as support with childcare or addressing
skills gaps. The progression offer is in addition to a change the government made
last month to the Administrative Earnings Threshold in Universal Credit. By raising
the threshold on 26<sup>th</sup> September 2022, approximately 114,000 more UC claimants
on the lowest incomes will benefit from regular work coach support. The Chancellor
announced that we would go further and raise the threshold again from January 2023
to expand this support to approximately 120,000 more people.</p><p> </p><p>The government
understands the pressures people are facing with the cost of living and has taken
further decisive action to support people with their energy bills. The Energy Price
Guarantee is supporting millions of households with rising energy costs, and the Chancellor
made clear it will continue to do so from now until April next year. This is in addition
to the over £37bn of cost of living support announced earlier this year which includes
the £400 non-repayable discount to eligible households provided through the Energy
Bills Support Scheme.</p><p> </p><p>The £37bn also includes up to £650 in cost of
living Payments (paid in 2 lump sums of £326 and £324) which have targeted support
at around 8 million low-income households on means-tested benefits. For those who
require additional support we have provided an extension to the Household Support
Fund backed by £421m, running from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023. The devolved administrations
will receive £79 million through the Barnett formula as usual.</p><p> </p>
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