Reports show need to ‘redouble efforts on child poverty’
13.09.04

Leading children’s charity welcomes official reports on poverty but demands further effort if we are truly to have ‘Opportunity for All’

Reports show need to ‘redouble efforts on child poverty’

Today saw the publication of two important official reports on the government’s strategy on poverty and social exclusion. ‘Opportunity for All’ sets out current government strategy and progress against a set of indicators. ‘Breaking the Cycle’ examines the progress and priorities of the strategy.

‘These reports are welcome; they demonstrate real progress and commitment to tackling the entrenched problems of poverty and social exclusion’ commented CPAG’s Chief Executive Kate Green ‘But the reports demonstrate how unequal Britain remains, and show the need to redouble efforts if we are truly to have a society in which a parent’s earnings and income does not determine their child’s life chances’.

The Social Exclusion Unit have analysed the current strategy and progress towards a fairer society. They demonstrate how adequate income is central to ensuring that children and families are not socially excluded. The challenge now is to devote further effort and resources to bringing down the unacceptable level of child poverty.

‘It is welcome to see an emphasis in ‘Breaking the Cycle’ on income inequality, a recognition that the growth in inequality, alongside poverty, fuelled the massive growth in social exclusion Britain experienced in the 1980’s. Making the UK a more equal place to grow up in is the only sustainable way to ensure true equality of opportunity’ said Kate Green.

Notes
The Department for Work and Pensions today published Opportunity for All which details strategy and official measures of progress on poverty and social exclusion. The Social Exclusion Unit also published Breaking the Cycle, the result of their review of government strategy and progress on poverty and social exclusion.

Fr more information contact
Paul Dornan
Tel. 020 7837 5222
pdornan@cpag.org.uk