An insight into single parents and the poverty trap by Elizabeth Taylor

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On the 2nd November, the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) launched the Poverty in Wales 2020 report. The report outlines the importance of work, social security and housing costs in solving poverty in Wales and the impact Covid-19 has on pushing many into deeper poverty. 

The report findings were extremely hard hitting, highlighting that, even before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, 700,000 people in Wales were living in poverty, 3 in 10 children. Whilst there were a broad range of findings, one that stood out for me was that single parents have the highest in-work poverty rate than ALL other household types. Just like England, single parents were more likely to be single mothers, although single fathers were still in higher poverty than any other household type. 

The provision of childcare and the lack of affordable childcare came up as a real barrier for single parent families and the report found that, while 58% of all families in Wales use childcare, the majority ask family or friends to avoid cost implication. Being a single parent myself and facing many of these issues head on; I wanted to understand what other single parents were feeling before I responded to this research officially. There were some consistent themes in the replies which were as follows:- 

  • Being unable to access social housing with waiting lists as long as 10 years 

  • Being unable to get a mortgage because of part-time income or lower salaries

  • Being unable to retain current mortgages after separation due to the lack of financial support for mortgages through Universal Credit 

  • Being forced to sell mortgaged family home and having to move into the private rental sector where rent is subsidised by Universal Credit

  • Having the rug pulled from under their feet in the private sector with landlords selling up 

  • Having to live with their family in one bedroom with their child because of the lack of affordability and poor policies in Local Authorities. 

The Bevan Foundation have proposed ‘One Welsh Benefit System’ that pulls together all of the devolved grants, such as council tax reduction, free school meals etc. This will mean you only apply for one grant and the system will see if you are eligible for all of the others; rather than filling out an abundance of forms. They are also asking the next Welsh Government to fund 30 hours childcare from 9 months old.

The manifestos for the next Welsh Government elections are being developed as we speak. We have an opportunity to make a stand for single parents and together we are stronger! Join our campaigns group and see how you can get involved. 

If you would like to read the JRF report, click here: https://www.jrf.org.uk/report/poverty-wales-2020  

Or the Bevan Foundation report, click here: https://www.bevanfoundation.org/publications/transforming-wales-welsh-public-services-and-benefits/ 


Elizabeth posted in the private Facebook SPW group and got an overwhelming response with 133 comments from our members. Here are a few of the comments that really bring to life what is being said above:

“Not being able to get social housing because they aren’t high enough need, can’t get a mortgage because they don’t earn enough even though mortgage payments are likely to be cheaper than rent. So they are forced into the PRS where many end up in dept trying to pull together a months rent and a bond.“

“Parents with mortgages are forced to sell after separation and move into the PRS as they don’t get the housing benefit element in UC. So the money then goes into landlords pockets.”

“Mental health impacts of constantly moving and struggling financially.” 

“The stigma attached to claiming benefits. That narrative needs to change.”

“I was forced into selling my home once my then current mortgage deal ran out. I couldn't get a fixed rate as I didn't earn enough on my own. The mortgage kept going up and up and by the time I sold it was £400 more a month than previously. I was on t h e verge of being repossessed. We were then homeless and lived in my sister's garage for 7 months. Managed to get a bond from the council and started renting privately. That was before private renting went sky high. Still in rental accommodation, all equity gone.”

“I have been stuck in this cycle. Had a mortgage but because I couldn’t afford it on my own ended up going to housing who only offered me a hostel so found a private rental which I was in for 6 yrs which they then sold went to housing again only offered a hostel which I was told would be 2 yrs plus before anything would possibly turn up so found another rental which was almost double the previous rent was there a yr and they sold the house so back to housing same response so found the house I’m in now which is so expensive I’ve been here a yr and the house is being sold so now back to square one. Except since lockdown the rental prices have gone up again and there’s nothing suitable.”

“After my separation, I was forced out of the jointly mortgaged family home and had to move in with my sister and her family in their Attic for over a year while the property sold. I claimed benefits during this time as I was paying rent to my sister, a single parent and still paying for a house I wasn’t living in. They are now saying that during that time they paid me too much and I owe them over £2000 back which I cannot afford. I now have a mortgage on a house because I had savings in the old property (thank god) but I am maxed out on credit cards and overdraft just to live because I work a full time job and cannot claim any benefits because of this. Feel like I’m being penalised not only for being a single mum but for being a working single mum. I keep my head above water by not buying food on the weeks where I don’t have my child for the majority (weekends) and by cutting down on heating etc. I am lucky to have a supportive network around me who help as much as possible. The system is categorically floored and is against working single parents for sure. Hope this is kind of what you were looking for.”

“I don’t qualify for initiatives when you want to buy a house. I’ve tried and I also know people that are stuck in rented housing because you don’t earn enough to get a decent mortgage and all the schemes are aimed at first time buyers. I had a mortgage with my ex and that counts against me.”

“I work part time and for 3 years I’ve been stuck living with my parents in an overcrowded house after an abusive relationship. Basically in limbo I’m sharing a bedroom with my nearly 9 year old son. I’m not classed as needing urgent housing. I can’t get a mortgage as a single person and can’t get social housing. I’m often told by the council I pretend to be made homeless by my family then I can go into a hostel which I wouldn’t want to do plus because I work I’d have to pay roughly £650pm to stay in the hostel. It’s a broken system which unless your in temp accommodation or hostel it’s unlikely you’ll ever get social housing. I can’t afford to pay for a hostel which is what the council often push you to take as it makes them money specially the hostels as you essentially only have one room.”

“Being able to own your home With a Mortgage rather than rent. A major factor for 90 percent of my single parent friends. Also If they gave all single parents totally free childcare rather than up to 70 percent costs covered all of us would be full time working and equal and able to get mortgages.”

Private rented something that was way too expensive for me. I went to CAB, desperate with no money, I worked full time but money was tied up in old house, was refused any help - sent to a soup kitchen. Then I went to housing options who told me id be on the waiting list for 10 years. They told me if I found a private rental they could maybe help. I then said that was impossible (it truly was) the only help I was offered was a hostel. I had built a home, worked full time, my daughter was in school, I had a house of furniture. It wasn’t an option either. So I ended up pushing myself further into debt borrowing a bond / months rent. It’s impossible. I would’ve been an ideal candidate for social housing, someone who would really pay into the system. Now I’m stuck in a cycle of extortionate private rent. 

“I’ve had to sell my house because Im out of work. (Encouraged to take severance 3 months after returning from mat leave). But because of the equity I will receive once everything is paid for I will no longer qualify for universal credit at all. And Im the lucky one I can live with my parents until Im back on my feet, otherwise I’d be losing everything I worked for. Jobs are hard to come by because I cant travel like I used to or Im over qualified or they don’t pay enough to cover childcare (grandma is 80 and I wouldn’t feel comfortable asking her for full time childcare given we’re living there, or even if we weren’t!)” 

“Worrying or long term struggling financially can really effect your mental and physical health. Also, as a sole parent with long term physical and mental health conditions, it was a very lengthy and frustrating experience trying to find suitable housing.”

If you have story that you would like to share with us then leave it in the comments or get in touch.

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Loneliness during lockdown for single parents and SPW’s response by Amy Holland