BUDGET 2004 RESPONSE

Leading children's charity disappointed at only one mention of child poverty in the Budget and calls for Chancellor to redouble efforts
17.03.04

Leading children's charity the Child Poverty Action Group has responded to the 2004 Budget.

Commenting on the key issues, CPAG's, Dr Paul Dornan said:

Reduction of staff at the Department for Work and Pensions and Inland Revenue

'The Government's intention to cut staff numbers by reducing staff at the DWP by 30,000 and IR by 14,000 concerns us.

'In recent months, the problematic implementation of the new tax credits showed a system under severe strain. We are worried that cutting staff will only exacerbate the problem.'

Sure Start

'We welcome the further £669 million investment in Sure Start and the commitment to its long term future. But, not all poor children live in poor areas; we need faster progress in rolling out Sure Start to ensure all can benefit from it.'

Education Investment

'The extra money for schools will make a real difference. Addressing poverty is critical to ensuring each child reaches his or her potential. As has been noted at its most basic level hungry children make poor learners – this money can help deal with that. We are keen to see schools and LEAs investing some of the extra money into good quality school meal provision.'

Spending Review

'For child poverty to receive only one mention in such an important budget is disappointing. Progress on dealing with it has been good, but even so 3.8 million children live in poverty in Great Britain. There is a long way to go yet in reducing child poverty, the Chancellor must now use the Comprehensive Spending Review in July to commit the Government to further and sustained investment to reduce child poverty.'

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

CPAG promotes action for the relief, directly or indirectly, of poverty among children and families with children. We work to ensure that those on low incomes get their full entitlement to welfare benefits. We receive no money from the Government and rely on donations. In our campaigning and information work we seek to improve benefits and policies for low-income families, in order to eradicate the injustice of poverty.