SINGLE mums in Oxford have voiced concern after learning they look set to be hardest hit by the Government’s programme of benefit cuts and tax rises.

A report put together by women’s equality campaign group the Fawcett Society, claims single mothers will lose 8.5 per cent of their income after tax by 2015.

This is compared to 7.5 per cent for single fathers, 6.5 per cent for couple with children, and about 2.5 per cent for couples without children.

Fabia Cerra, 37, a single mother-of-one from Blackbird Leys, said: “The cost of living is definitely going up. I have to shop where it is cheaper.

“My benefits haven’t been affected yet, but I would be very angry if they were and I would have to get in touch with my MP.”

Reductions in housing benefit, the restriction of maternity grants to the first child, a three-year freeze on child benefit, and a cut in the childcare element of the working tax credit, have contributed to the problem, according to the report.

Hayleigh Townsend, 27, a single mother-of-four from Blackbird Leys, said: “Single mothers are the ones that work the hardest. If we get hit we are even worse off and it is the kids that suffer.”

Justine Whitfield, 25, a single mother-of-two from Didcot, added: “Going shopping is way more expensive now, but I’ve just started going back to work, so my situation is getting better.”

The report – Single Mothers: Singled Out – uses analysis done by economic research body the Institute for Fiscal Studies on the impact of the changes made in the emergency Budget of 2010, last autumn’s Comprehensive Spending Review and this year’s Budget.

Su Buckingham, project manager of the Berinsfield Information and Volunteer Centre – an Oxfordshire charity that helps single parents and those on benefits, said: “I would say we haven’t seen the worst of it. Single mums are very worried...We are seeing a rise in numbers coming through our centre. I think we will see more debt.”

The acting chief executive of the Fawcett Society Anna Bird said: “Women are bearing the brunt of cuts. Single women, on average, are set to lose a greater proportion of their income than other households.

“Some of the least well-off in our society are being forced to act as shock absorbers for the cuts, with women – in particular single women – faring worse.”

Rebecca Gill, the director of policy and campaigns at Platform 51, an Oxford-based charity that supports women and girls, said: “The report only serves to further confirm what we what see day in day out: single mothers, already struggling to pay the bills who are spiralling further into poverty as a result of cuts to public services and changes to the tax and benefit system.”

A Treasury spokesman said: “Cutting the deficit and getting the economy going again is good for everyone.

“This has meant tough decisions, but the Government has made these in the fairest way, taking real action to benefit women in all aspects of their lives.

“Child tax credits have been increased for the poorest families and action taken at the June Budget will help lone parents into work.

“What’s more, 260,000 women will be taken out of tax by the Government’s increase in the income tax personal allowance.”