Government third term is ‘real opportunity’ says leading children’s charity
06.05.05

Following the election of the Labour Government at yesterday’s General Election, Kate Green OBE, Chief Executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, said:

'The election of this Labour Government for a third term is real opportunity for child poverty to be made a thing of the past.

'We recognise that in the previous eight years much has been done and the incomes of the poorest families have been increased. The Government must now redouble their efforts and ensure ending child poverty is the number one priority.

'We look forward to hearing of further plans for this third term and encourage the Government to meet its targets for reducing child poverty at an early stage.'

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

Notes:

CPAG have 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.