Don’t Punish Britain’s Young Families for the Housing Crisis

Commenting on the Prime Ministers proposal for the removal of housing benefits for people under the Age of 25, 4Children Chief Executive Anne Longfield said:

The loss of housing benefit for people under the age of 25 would have disastrous consequences for thousands of people across the country.

“With house prices and rents currently soaring and young people facing disproportionately high levels of unemployment, these changes would unnecessarily heap misery upon some of the most vulnerable people in the country.

“It must also not be forgotten that many people under the age of 25 have dependent children. These families could face the grim reality of having to move into overcrowded accommodation or even face homelessness.

“As stark as the financial costs to these families would be, the emotional impact would be equally dramatic. Families who are forced to move face losing their local support networks and children face disruption to their education, as well as greater vulnerability to mental and physical ill-health.

“While we can clearly see that there is a housing crisis in this country, it will not be solved by further punishing those already living in substandard accommodation, with very little prospect of ever owning their own home.”

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