The Family and Parenting Institute (FPI) has argued that families with children will be hardest hit by the tax and benefit changes aimed at cutting the UK's deficit. They predict that the changes will mean the average income for families will drop by 4.2% between 2011 and 2016 - that's the equivalent of £1250 a year.

While the government claims that measures have been undertaken to help families as the UK works itself out of recession  (such as cutting income and fuel taxes), some organisations still feel that families with children shoulder a disproportionate burden.

Kathryn Rake of the FPI says: ‘This disparity is largely driven by a package of benefit reforms which have affected families with children. As a result of the changes being introduced between January 2011 and April 2014 families are set to lose more than pensioner households and working-age households without children.’

Supporting this, shadow minister for women and equalities Yvette Cooper claims that the research is a ‘damning verdict’ on the coalition's family policies. As a result of the predicted fall in household incomes, the FPI equate that by 2015 a further half a million children will be living in absolute poverty.

For more information on projects supporting families and households in the UK, take a look at the ESF-Works Families and households theme pages.