Good legal news

We're pleased to be able to open this newsletter with some good news. 

On Monday we won our case in the Court of Appeal that involved four single working mothers whose regular monthly pay dates for their wages fell close to the start/end of their universal credit assessment periods, resulting in them sometimes having two paydays in one assessment period. Because of the way the universal credit computer system assesses earnings they had fluctuating income and significant cash losses. The government announced yesterday that they will not appeal the judgment.

And last month we won a case again at the Court of Appeal that involved a child and a woman with a disability who were forced to claim universal credit (losing money as a result) because their previous benefits were stopped as a result of DWP errors.

Find out about all our cases at cpag.org.uk/legal

Coronavirus

Learning in lockdown

As part of our Cost of the School Day project we have conducted research into the effects of the pandemic on children and families’ experiences of learning in lockdown. Through surveys and interviews with almost 5,000 parents, carers, children and young people, we found that the cost burdens of school closures have fallen most heavily on families already living on a low income. For example, one third of the families who are most worried about money have had to buy a laptop or other device. Families told us how the various replacements for free school meals were working, with direct payments into families' bank accounts proving the most valuable during the pandemic. We're delighted that free school meal alternatives will continue during the summer holidays and will continue to push for direct payments wherever possible.

More support for families needed

We are pushing for more support for families as part of the government's response to the Coronavirus and beyond. We were pleased to see some progress on local crisis support in recent weeks, with £63 million given to councils in England. But there is much more to do. We're advocating for change on several fronts.

• Our latest Coronavirus briefing sets out our priorities.
• ​We are advocating for an increase in child benefit as well as for the benefit cap to be lifted. 
• No one knows what the future can hold is our latest report showing why the two-child limit should be lifted, written with the Church of England.
• Cash in a Crisis looks at good practice in local welfare assistance schemes in England. 
• We continue to publish regular briefings from our Early Warning System on the problems advisers are seeing in the social security system at this time.
• We have looked at the disproportionate impact of Coronavirus policies (or lack thereof) on families.

You can see all our Coronavirus-related work together at cpag.org.uk/coronavirus

Black children's lives matter

Rising child poverty is a national scandal, but we don't talk enough about the fact that children in black and minority ethnic families are more likely to experience poverty. The challenge for us all is to put these issues at the top of our agenda – child poverty is not colour blind, so our campaign to end it must not be either.

Remembering John Veit-Wilson 

We learned with great sadness of the death of John Veit-Wilson – our longstanding friend and inspiration – on 10 May. John was CPAG's last remaining founder member. He was a Trustee for many years and an intellectual power house on our policy committee. He will be sadly missed.

Woolly Originals raises £2,170

Since April, former welfare rights adviser Sarah has been kindly supporting CPAG through her Woolly Originals business. She has donated half of the proceeds from the sales of her beautiful handmade bags meaning a tremendous £2,170 for CPAG.

During the summer she also plans to hike the equivalent length of the Hebridean Way (156 miles), aiming to raise a further £500. Thank you so much Sarah! ​

Support her epic challenge. 

2021 London Marathon place up for grabs

We are pleased to share that we have a place in the 2021 London Marathon. If you fancy taking on the challenge for CPAG, please email Alice on [email protected] for details.