The independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) has published its recommendations for actions the government should take to protect people on low incomes from the economic impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
It is urging the government to act swiftly to get the right support to people when they are sick or self-isolating, and those who are struggling with rising costs and falling earnings.
The recommendations also cover action to provide security for workers by helping them stay in work, and to make sure renters and homeowners can continue to meet their housing costs and stay in their homes.
Helen Barnard, Deputy Director of Policy and Partnerships at JRF said:
“All over the country, we are seeing our shared values in action as families, friends, neighbours and communities are working together to support each other through the unprecedented situation created by the coronavirus pandemic.
“The government is doing the right thing by promising more action to support individuals, but this must be fast and the way that people access these services must work for them if they are to be effective. These recommendations demonstrate how government can achieve this, and give people the additional support they need to weather this storm.
“We urge ministers to keep up their fast action and put these measures in place immediately. We must free people who are already struggling to get by from the fear, anxiety and restrictions imposed by poverty in these uncertain times.”
The recommendations include
- Increase statutory sick pay to two-thirds of full-time earnings up to the National Living Wage (around £219 per week), and make it available to the almost two million employees earning under £118 per week who are not currently eligible
- Cover a proportion of wage costs for workers who have to take time off to care for children, or who might otherwise see their jobs or hours cut due to falling demand. JRF recommends this is set at the same rate as the increased rate of statutory sick pay, with the Government covering 75% of the cost
- Increase benefit rates for those not in work to £150 per week for a single person and £260 per week for couples; provide immediate access to payment for new Universal Credit claimants
- Increase benefits for low-income families with children by £12 per eligible child per week as a fast, simple way to cover the extra cost of food while children are not at school, rather than issuing vouchers
- Build on the increased support announced for self-employed people who have coronavirus or are self-isolating, by making it available to all self-employed people on Universal Credit, as many will struggle to stay afloat due to reduced demand for their services
- Increase rates of Local Housing Allowance to prevent renters falling into arrears, and reduce the amount of time homeowners on low incomes must wait before they can get support with mortgage payments
Now is the time to use our public social security system to keep each other safe and prevent people being pulled under by the impacts of Covid-19. All over the country, families, friends, neighbours and communities are working together to support each other through the unprecedented situation created by the coronavirus pandemic. We’re seeing our shared values in action: compassionate responses to people who are ill and self-isolating; agreement on the need for just measures to make sure that those at most risk from these ever-moving currents and with fewest resources get the right help.
The government has rightly taken major steps in recent days to help businesses stay afloat and preserve jobs and services. They have started to take action to support individuals and families. Ensuring that nobody will be evicted from their home in the next three months and faster access to sick pay are important steps. The government is doing the right thing by promising more action to support individuals, but this must be fast and the way that people access these services must work for them if they are to be effective. We must act together to keep each other safe, using the social security system we already have as an anchor to steady us when times are tough.
