EHRC finds ‘sustained or severe regression’ in protection of people’s standard of living linked to UK Government’s failure to effectively meet international human rights standards

Updated assessment of UK and Welsh Governments' human rights records also links increased poverty and inequality to UK-wide social security changes

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has recorded a ‘sustained or severe regression’ in how people's standards of living are being protected by the UK Government.

Launching an updated version of its Human Rights Tracker - that tracks the progress of the UK and Welsh Governments in meeting international human rights standards across key areas of people’s lives impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic - the EHRC analyses where progress has been made and where there is still a distance to travel.

Key evidence highlighted by the EHRC that indicates that rights are in regression - defined as a sustained or severe regression in the enjoyment of human rights, or a significant reduction in human rights standards or protections in law or policy - include -

• reductions in social care provision; 
• stalled progress on ensuring the right to independent living by disabled people; and
• increased numbers of children living in poverty as a result of the pandemic.

Indeed, in relation to its assessment of poverty rates and impacts, and the UK Government’s success in safeguarding living standards in general, the EHRC says that -

• changes to social security have potentially contributed to an additional 600,000 children living in relative poverty between 2010/2011 and 2018/2019;
• relative child poverty has increased since 2010, and is currently at 30 per cent;
• UK-wide changes to social security, taxes and public spending between 2010 and 2017 were significantly regressive and are projected to disproportionately affect the poorest in society as well as women, disabled people, ethnic minority people and lone parents;
• reductions in the benefit cap and the two-child limit are hitting families with more children particularly hard, and there are widespread concerns that the five-week wait for universal credit has pushed people into financial crisis; and
• if enhancements to basic benefits introduced to support people through the pandemic are reversed in 2021, the number of people living in relative poverty in Britain is predicted to increase by one million in 2021/2022.

NB - the EHRC says that further progress assessments, including in relation to social security, housing and further aspects of justice and relating to work, will be published over the course of 2021.

Commenting on the updated assessments, EHRC Chief Executive Rebecca Hilsenrath said -

'There is no question that the UK is facing an unprecedented time with the challenges thrown up by COVID-19 and our exit from the EU.

We all rely on human rights. They are essential to everyday life and vital in a fair and equal society. In the current climate, it is more crucial than ever to ensure our human rights are properly protected.

We will continue to work with UK and Welsh Governments to help ensure that human rights are properly promoted and protected, including engaging with the independent review of the Human Rights Act.

Putting human rights at the centre of our decision-making will ensure our recovery is based on the fundamental principles that guarantee a fair and just society, and that the rights of every individual are protected.’

For more information, see Adequate standard of living / poverty – UK Government assessment.