The
Child Poverty Action Group welcomed news this week that the
£300 Sure Start maternity grant will be extended to more
families on low incomes, but reiterated calls for an overhaul of
the benefits system.
Up to
15,000 more families on low incomes will receive help with the
costs of caring for a new baby following the government's decision
to scrap the £500 savings limit.
CPAG
director Martin Barnes said the abolition of the capital limit was
an improvement, but repeated calls for the overhaul of the
discretionary social fund. He said: "In rejecting calls for an
injection of funds into the social fund it has turned its back on
some of the most vulnerable families in the country."
From
April 2002 the Sure Start maternity grant will increase from
£300 to £500 with over 200,000 new or expectant parents
set to benefit.