Cost of living support for families

Date: 22nd May 2026
Category: Child poverty, Family support

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A new briefing from the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) highlights that 4 million children are already living in poverty, and rising prices are hitting low‑income families hardest. Earlier crises have drained savings, pushed households into debt and exposed how poorly designed past support packages were for families with children.

Flat‑rate payments during the pandemic and the 2022-24 cost‑of‑living crisis failed to reflect household size, meaning families with children received no more help than single adults, despite facing far higher essential costs. CPAG argues that the UK Government must not repeat these mistakes as it considers new support measures.

The organisation is calling for targeted action, including boosting both the standard allowance and child element of Universal Credit, increasing child benefit, and removing the benefit cap to reach families facing the most severe hardship.

The message is clear: protecting children must be at the heart of any new cost‑of‑living response.

Find out more and access the full briefing