Monitor the effect the four year freeze on social security entitlements has on the rights to an adequate standard of living and social security against the requirements set out by the UN CESCR, especially for individuals and groups sharing protected characteristics, and make sure this is in line with best children’s interests. Reintroduce income poverty-related targets for the eradication of child poverty, and establish clear accountability mechanisms, including binding targets, with a set timeframe and measurable indicators, as part of a comprehensive child poverty strategy, ensuring that the best interests of the child are taken as a primary consideration. Examine the factors behind the higher levels of poverty amongst individuals and groups at risk, such as children, disabled people and refugees and asylum seekers, and develop a strategy to address these factors. In line with the recommendations in our submission to the CRPD Committee in 2017, we call upon the UK Government to: Act upon the recommendation of the Work and Pensions Select Committee to set out a clear plan for identifying where new ESA Work-related Activity Group claimants have additional, unavoidable living costs relating to their condition, and ensure a financial support package is in place. Take prompt action to reform the WCA to offer a more flexible, personalised approach to providing support to unemployed disabled people, including those with greatest needs and fluctuating conditions. The focus should be on identifying work potential and the types of adjustments and support that could remove barriers to individuals accessing and staying in work. This should be separate from any financial assessment. Financial support for people unable to work, or where there are inadequate adjustments or personalised support in place, should not be conditional on actions linked to job-seeking or subject to benefit sanctions.
Monitor the effect the four year freeze on social security entitlements has on the rights to an adequate standard of living and social security against the requirements set out by the UN CESCR, especially for individuals and groups sharing protected characteristics, and make sure this is in line with children’s best interests. Reintroduce income poverty-related targets for the eradication of child poverty, and establish clear accountability mechanisms, including binding targets, with a set timeframe and measurable indicators, as part of a comprehensive child poverty strategy, ensuring that the best interests of the child are taken as a primary consideration. Examine the factors behind the higher levels of poverty amongst individuals and groups at risk, such as children, disabled people and refugees and asylum seekers, and develop a strategy to address these factors. In line with the recommendations in our submission to the CRPD Committee in 2017, we call upon the UK Government to: Act upon the recommendation of the Work and Pensions Select Committee to set out a clear plan for identifying where new ESA Work-related Activity Group claimants have additional, unavoidable living costs relating to their condition, and ensure a financial support package is in place. Take prompt action to reform the WCA to offer a more flexible, personalised approach to providing support to unemployed disabled people, including those with greatest needs and fluctuating conditions. The focus should be on identifying work potential and the types of adjustments and support that could remove barriers to individuals accessing and staying in work. This should be separate from any financial assessment. Financial support for people unable to work, or where there are inadequate adjustments or personalised support in place, should not be conditional on actions linked to job-seeking or subject to benefit sanctions.
progress-on-socio-economic-rights-in-great-britain.docx