High Court Rules That Tory Benefit Caps Cause 'Real Misery for No Good Reason'

A High Court has today ruled that government benefit caps bring "real misery for no good reason". Mr Justice Collins said the Tory caps should not apply to a certain group of single parents with children under the age of two, meaning they have effectively been deemed illegal.

The ruling – which was brought about by four single-parent families who said the cap would have a severe effect on them – is being hailed as a landmark victory for the poorest in our society. The judge said, "It seems that some 3.7 million children live in poverty and, as must be obvious, the cap cannot but exacerbate this."

In delivering of his verdict, he went on to say, "The evidence shows that the cap is capable of real damage to individuals such as the claimants." Exemption from the cap is granted to those who work more that 16 hours a week, but Judge Collins said that would be "impossible" for the parents who brought the case forward.

Rebekah Carrier, the families' solicitor, said after the ruling, "The benefit cap has had a catastrophic impact upon vulnerable lone parent families and children across the country. Single mothers like my clients have been forced into homelessness and reliance on food banks as a result of the benefit cap."

The current cap – which limits yearly benefits to £20,000 across the country and £23,000 in London – will remain in place for other groups.