A family stimulus: Supporting children, families and the economy through the pandemic

Article

Families in Britain are struggling. Although the job retention scheme and its scaled down successor, the job support scheme, have and will spare some job losses – without significant further government action next year, unemployment could more than double from pre-Covid-19 levels.

This paper makes the case for a “family stimulus” – a much-needed boost to the income of hard-hit families through the social security system and targeted investment in childcare to ensure the continued functioning of the sector.

This will put cash directly into the hands of families and provide a stimulus for the economy, whilst improving outcomes for children.

Related items

  1. View of Bank of England, Royal Exchange, and Duke of Wellington equestrian statue (1844) with skyscrapers and construction in background.

    Navigating in the fog: Why the OBR should hold its nerve on the productivity forecast

    The fiscal watchdog is under pressure to downgrade its forecast, costing the chancellor billions – but this would be premature.
  2. A busy bus full of people of all ages. An older couple smile at a younger woman with a baby in a pushchair

    Everyday concerns: What people want from transport

    Transport has a key role to play in achieving the UK government's missions and improving lives. 
  3. An unrecognisable woman playing a slot machine in a social club

    Reforming gambling taxation: How to lift half a million children out of poverty

    A key priority for the government’s upcoming child poverty strategy should be to remove the two-child limit and scrap the household benefit cap.