EVIDENCE BASED WELFARE POLICIES

That this House deplores the expected increase in the already very high poverty-related costs in ill-health and educational under-achievement to the taxpayer in the schools and health service as a result of the welfare cuts; regrets that housing benefit cuts, the abolition of the Health in Pregnancy grant and the Sure Start grant cut for second children will increase already wide income and health inequalities; notes the greater risk of underweight babies due to the malnutrition of mothers due to poverty incomes and debts imposed by cuts; furthernotes those babies will carry a greater risk of poor cognitive abilities, mental illness and cerebral palsy identified by the Institute of Brain Chemistry and Human Nutrition; further notes that a related increase in debts will increase the mental health problems for adults identified by the Government Office for Science; further notes that increased number of evictions and consequent insecurity of tenure will disrupt the education of children as shown in research in Brisbane and Sydney, Australia; further notes that rented private accommodation will be difficult to find because private landlords will not risk rents paid by inadequate housing benefit, predicted by the Chartered Institute of Housing, who also predict an increase in overcrowded housing; and calls on the Government to implement evidence-based welfare policies which will improve public health.