Government Response

The Government responded to this petition on Monday 8th March 2021

As individuals anywhere on the income distribution are entitled to Child Benefit, increasing it significantly would come at a high cost, and not be well-targeted towards those families most in need.

The Government understands the importance of Child Benefit to families and will ensure the benefit keeps its value by increasing it for the second consecutive year from April 2021 in line with inflation. As individuals anywhere on the income distribution are entitled to Child Benefit, increasing it further would come at a high cost to the taxpayer, and not be well-targeted towards those who need it the most.

The Government is committed to supporting children and has acted swiftly to help families during the pandemic through a package of welfare measures costing an additional £7.4 billion this financial year. This includes a temporary increase to Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit, and relinking Local Housing Allowance to cover the 30th percentile of market rates.

To provide further support for children, the Government has announced a winter package. This includes the Covid Winter Grant Scheme, which is providing children, families and the most vulnerable help with food and bills over winter and beyond. This was extended in the Prime Minister’s roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions in England to cover the period up until the end of the Easter holidays

HM Treasury