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<p>The latest available data shows that the proportion of children in families in
absolute low income in the Preston constituency in 2021/22 was 21.9%, a reduction
of 3.5 percentage points compared with 2014/15 (the first year for which comparable
data is available) and a reduction of 0.7 percentage points compared with 2020/21.
Absolute poverty is the government’s preferred measure as the poverty line is fixed
in real terms so is not affected by overall median income.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The
Government is committed to reducing child poverty and supporting low-income families.
We will spend around £276bn through the welfare system in Great Britain in 2023/24
including around £124bn on people of working age and their children.</p><p> </p><p>From
April, we uprated benefit rates by 10.1%. In order to increase the number of households
who can benefit from these uprating decisions the benefit cap levels have also increased
by the same amount.</p><p> </p><p>With 1.08 million job vacancies across the UK, our
focus remains firmly on supporting individuals, including parents, to move into, and
progress in work, an approach which is based on clear evidence about the importance
of employment - particularly where it is full-time - in substantially reducing the
risks of child poverty and in improving long-term outcomes for families and children.
The latest statistics show that in 2021/22 children living in workless households
were around 5 times more likely to be in absolute poverty after housing costs than
those where all adults work.</p><p> </p><p>To further support those who are in work,
from 1 April 2023, the National Living Wage (NLW) increased by 9.7% to £10.42 an hour
for workers aged 23 and over - the largest ever cash increase for the NLW.</p><p>
</p><p>At the Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced an ambitious package of measures
designed to support people wherever they live in the UK to enter work, increase their
working hours and extend their working lives.</p><p> </p><p>We are investing billions
in additional childcare support for parents of toddlers, investing in wraparound childcare
in schools, and increasing financial support for, and expectations of, parents claiming
Universal Credit.</p><p> </p><p>This government understands the pressures people are
facing with the cost of living which is why we are providing total support of over
£94bn over 2022-23 and 2023-24 to help households and individuals with the rising
bills.</p><p> </p><p>For people who require additional support, whether they receive
benefits or not, the Household Support Fund will continue until March 2024. This year
long extension allows Local Authorities in England to continue to provide discretionary
support to those most in need with the significantly rising cost of living. For the
period April 2023 to March 2024, Lancashire County Council has been allocated funding
of £19,356,470.44 through the Fund. The Devolved Administrations will receive consequential
funding as usual to spend at their discretion.</p><p> </p>
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