Action for Children says "no young person already struggling should be made poorer" in response to Milburn’s welfare reform recommendations

In response to Milburn’s recommendations on welfare reform for under 25s, Lucy Schonegevel, Director of Influencing and Impact for Action for Children, said:

“We support Milburn's ambition to help more young people move into work and recognise the current system is not working well enough for many young people. Too often support comes too little and too late, and we welcome efforts to change that.

"Many of the young people Action for Children supports live with complex and overlapping challenges including disability, poor mental health, poverty, care experience and trauma. The evidence is clear that cutting financial support increases poverty, worsens health and makes it harder for young people to engage with support.

"Existing claimants will understandably be worried about today's reports. There is currently not enough detail available to understand who would gain, who would lose out, and what protections would be in place for those facing the greatest barriers.

“We share the ambition of helping more young people thrive, participate and move towards employment. However, no young person who is already struggling should be made poorer as a result of reforms intended to improve their opportunities.

“As these proposals are developed, the government must ensure it listens to the experiences of young people themselves and ensures any changes are accompanied by the support, protection and investment needed to help them succeed.