Response to Conservative announcement on child poverty

Leading children's charity welcome Conservative commitment on 'key' issues
05.01.05

Commenting on a speech made today by the Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, David Willetts, in which the Conservatives promised an amnesty for families that have been over-paid tax credits, and to address the number of children living below 60% of median income, Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group Kate Green said,

'Today's announcement by the Conservative Party is very welcome. CPAG and others have made clear the importance of increasing the incomes of low-income families. David Willetts' commitment to the relative nature of poverty, and to address the high number of families living in income poverty is good news although knowing the timescale over which they will achieve this is vital.

'CPAG has been leading the calls for the Government to introduce an amnesty for tax credit overpayments which occurred because of the problems around the implementation of tax credits. The Conservatives have been listening and their agreement that almost half a million families should not have to pay back money is the right and decent thing to do.

'The Conservative Party has now recognised the serious problem of child poverty and committed to tackling income poverty. We look forward to hearing more about how they will do this and how they will finance this fundamental policy.'

For further comment:
Ashley Riley
Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216
Mobile 07811 324339
e-mail ariley@cpag.org.uk