‘Gap between rich and poor must be bridged’ says CPAG
01.09.05

Leading children’s charity responds to JRF report showing
“rich and poor still live in different worlds”

A new report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (see note 1 below) highlights the need for more urgency in tackling inequality, according to the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).

Welcoming the report, Kate Green OBE, Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, said:

‘This report highlights the existence of an inverse care law; too often those in poverty and with greatest need of good quality services suffer the least access to them.’

‘This detailed study of the census demonstrates just how divided Britain is today. If we are to have true equality of opportunity for all children growing up, irrespective of where they live and the income of their parents, government must address these startling inequalities’, she said. ‘That means both improving incomes for the poorest families and investing to improve health, housing, education and job prospects in the poorest areas.’

‘Only by radically reducing the inequalities that divide our society will the Government fulfil its pledge to eradicate child poverty within a generation.’

For further information:

Paul Dornan,
Head of Policy and Research,
Child Poverty Action Group
Office 020 7812 54222

Notes:

1. Life in Britain: Using millennial Census data to understand poverty, inequality and place by Ben Wheeler, Mary Shaw, Richard Mitchell and Danny Dorling is published by The Policy Press. A summary of findings is available from JRF, The Homestead, 40 Water End, York YO30 6WP or as a free download from www.jrf.org.uk. Free sample material is also available in the Reading Room at www.policypress.org.uk. For advance information, contact:

Prof. Danny Dorling (author) 07770 766450
Dr Mary Shaw (author) 07714 364901
Dr Richard Mitchell (author) 07976 814833

2. The Office for National Statistics has also released analysis recently highlighting wide and in places growing inequalities in the UK; see www.statistics.gov.uk/articles/nojournal/FOSI_summary_article.pdf

3. To show what is needed to make further progress in eradicating child poverty, CPAG has published a manifesto, 'Ten steps to a society free from child poverty' which calls on all political parties to sign up to 10 demands.

• Download a copy of CPAG's manifesto (205 KB pdf file)
  
  
• Download a leaflet summary of CPAG's manifesto (471 KB pdf file)

CPAG’s ten steps to a society free of child poverty are:

• All political parties to commit to eradicate child poverty.
• Poverty proof policies – make each consistent with eradicating child poverty.
• Uprate the combined value of child tax credit and child benefit at least in line with the fastest growing of prices or earnings. The element of this that is child benefit ought to be maximised.
• Increase the adult payments within income support in line with those for children.
• Reform the administration of tax credits and benefits – ensure they get the right amount to the right people at the right time.
• Ensure all children have full access to the requirements – meals, uniforms and activities – of their education.
• Provide benefit entitlements to all UK residents equally, irrespective of immigration status.
• Work towards better jobs, not just more jobs.
• Introduce free at the point of delivery, good quality universal childcare.
• Reduce the disproportionate burden of taxation on poorer families.