Response to Parliamentary Work and Pensions Committee report into child poverty

CPAG welcomes 'hard-hitting' MPs' report which calls for more money for UK's poorest families
8.04.04

…'crunch time ahead' claims leading children's charity…

Responding to the Work and Pensions Committee report on Child Poverty in the UK which is published today (8 April 2004), leading children's charity the Child Poverty Action Groups Dr Paul Dornan said:
"Today's report from the Work and Pensions Committee is a welcome reminder that despite the latest government statistics, much more needs to be done to help all children that live in poverty in the UK."

"We are encouraged that the Committee is recommending an increase of at least £10 for the poorest children and we call on the government to act on this advice."

"The real crunch time is coming up for the government." Dr Dornan added. "We still experience extremely high levels of child poverty in the UK. This summer we know the government is to conduct its spending review, which will influence future priorities. It is essential that the government mark out large levels of spending to ensure that substantial reductions in child poverty are a year on year event."

"We recognise that the government has demanding pressures on its finances, but the UK still has some of the highest levels of child poverty in the EU, compared to countries such as Denmark and Finland. There is much to do and we call on the government to re-double its efforts." he said.

For further comment

Ashley Riley
Press Officer
020 7812 5216 or 07811 324339
ariley@cpag.org.uk

• The Work and Pensions Select Committee is chaired by Sir Archy Kirkwood MP (Liberal Democrat) and comprises MPs from the three main parties. The Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration and policy of the Department for Work and Pensions.
  
  
• The Select Committee's report is available on the Committee's website: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmworpen.htm
  
  
• The Child Poverty Action Group is a leading charity campaigning for the eradication of child and family poverty in the UK. CPAG publishes research on poverty among children and young people and seeks positive solutions through lobbying and campaign work. The charity helps ensure that families
  receives the financial support they are entitled to by providing expert advice, training and information for advice workers on all aspects of the tax credit and social security systems. CPAG is a membership organisation with around 4,000 member organisations and supporters. Website:
  www.cpag.org.uk
  
  
• CPAG is a registered charity (no. 294841). Its work is funded by donations, publication sales, membership income, training and legacies. CPAG receives no funding from Government and has only received funding from statutory bodies for dedicated advice or research projects.