couplepenalty on Birmingham Dailyhttps://birminghamdaily.co.uk/tags/couplepenalty/Recent content in couplepenalty on Birmingham DailyHugo -- gohugo.ioen-usMon, 06 Jul 2026 06:23:35 +0000DWP ‘Couple Penalty’ Leaves Married Benefit Claimants Nearly £10,000 Worse Off Annuallyhttps://birminghamdaily.co.uk/dwp-couple-penalty-leaves-married-benefit-claimants-nearly-10000-worse-off-annually/Mon, 06 Jul 2026 06:23:35 +0000https://birminghamdaily.co.uk/dwp-couple-penalty-leaves-married-benefit-claimants-nearly-10000-worse-off-annually/A policy by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is resulting in significant financial losses for single mothers who marry or cohabit with their child’s father. Known as the “couple penalty,” this rule can leave women nearly £10,000 a year worse off, according to a recent report from the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ). The CSJ highlights a case of a 30-year-old unemployed mother with a one-year-old child. If she marries or moves in with the child’s father earning £20,000 annually, her benefits would drop by £5,700 a year.