‘Still much more to do’ – says charity on UN Poverty Day
17.10.05

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has welcomed David Blunkett’s reaffirmed pledge to eradicate child poverty, but warned that his upcoming Welfare Reform Green Paper must not undermine progress towards that goal.

Speaking on the UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty at the ‘Poor Relations: Make UK Poverty History’ Conference in London, the Work & Pensions Secretary also published his Department’s seventh Opportunity for All report to track progress on tackling poverty and disadvantage.

Kate Green, Chief Executive of CPAG, said:

“CPAG fully supports the Government’s pledge to eradicate child poverty and we welcome the fact that over half a million children have been lifted out of poverty since Labour came to power.

“Despite the progress that’s been made 3.5 million children in the UK continue to live in poverty. There is still much more to do if the Government is to meet its laudable targets of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending it altogether by 2020. That's why we need a Make Poverty History in the UK campaign to make ending child poverty one of the driving goals of Labour's third term.”

On the forthcoming Welfare Reform Green Paper, Kate Green added:

“CPAG hopes David Blunkett will use the forthcoming Welfare Reform Green Paper to build on progress towards ending child poverty and not risk undermining it.

“While increases in child benefit and tax credits have helped, the benefits system still does not provide an adequate safety net for those who cannot work. For example, the current gap between benefit levels and the poverty line is around £80 per week for a couple with two children.

“We agree with the Government that many people currently out of work want to work. Sustained increases in support are needed, such as through the Pathways to Work programme, to ensure that good jobs are available. But to increase conditionality now would be both unjust and counterproductive.

“Finally, there need to be sufficient staff and financial resources to deliver support to those seeking work. With the planned job cuts at Jobcentre Plus we are seriously concerned that current service standards may fall, even before the roll out of a new and complex programme.”

For further information please contact:
Alex Belardinelli
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
abelardinelli@cpag.org.uk