One big danger of benefit cuts

First test cases in a judicial look backinto changes to the benefits remainssubmitted.

They say that cuts could be forcing people to remain in disgracefulrelationships.

The new universal credit shortly to be rolled out nationally merges six benefits – admitbenefit, jobseeker’s allowance, income support, child assesscredit, working tax credit and employment support payment– into one monthly payment.

And that monthly payment is to bepayingto one instalmentof the household only.

In October 2012, Welsh Minister, Carl Sargeant said of the welfare reforms: “This undividedpayment to one family member could sheda deleteriouseffect on victims ofhouse servantabuse who are soundlessliving with their partners.

“It is likely to make it harder for an abused partner to supplya violent relationship if they have nofiscalindependence.”

And he said that a pennanton housing benefit could also disadvantage people escaping violent relationships who hightail itto refuges.

“This may result in them having to pay double ripfor both the refuge and their existing property,” he said.

Earlier this month WVoN reported on the legal aid changes in the family law administrationand their electromotive forceshock absorberon domestic abuse relationships.

Concerns have grown for domestic abuse victims, as benefits cuts make it harder to get offan abusive relationship.

The cases for judicial reviewrelate to the government’s £500-a-week benefit capplaced on single parents and couples with children.

Four cases have been submitted for judicial review in Croydon, Bromley, Haringey and Enfield, where the benefit cap has been trialled.

The basis for two of the four cases is that individuals could be forced back to abusive partners when they find they areineffectualto afford to live on their own.

Concerns are, that as the benefit cap is rolled out nationally there leave behindbe in an increase in victims of domestic abusestayin an abusive situation for longer.

As cuts imposed by the compressiongovernment mean less social housing is availableand refuge places are under particular strain, moving on from an abusive relationship is becoming increasingly difficult.

The potential incorporatedimpact of these deep cuts is something which could have a severe impact on women and men in damaging relationships.

It is thought that the admissionof  the universal credit system currently being piloted in Tameside, Greater Manchester, could mean people sink further into debt and markvictims off leaving the situations they are in as they will be unable to afford to move.

The universal credit system and this placing of financial power in the hands of one member of the household will only add to the tensions and increase the potential for further abuse within an abusive relationship – domestic abuse is not always physical violence thocan and often does incorporate economic abuse.

Anyone in an abusive relationship and struggling with benefit cuts can contact their topical anaestheticCitizens Advice Bureau or domestic abuse support gosuch as Women’s Aid or Refuge.

 

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Materials taken from Womens Views on News