Response to children’s manifesto
21.03.05

'CPAG welcomes the Labour Party’s children’s manifesto, with a clear emphasis on reducing child poverty, and is pleased that children are being placed centre-stage in the build-up to the expected May General Election,' said Kate Green OBE, the Chief Executive.

'Labour must now make the bolder step of ensuring that children and child poverty are at the heart of their main manifesto. The challenge is now on for all political parties to place the issue at the centre of their campaigns.

'The financial measures announced will be essential if we are to stay on track to eradicate child poverty, but more investment will be needed to lift the poorest children out of poverty,' she said.

'We look forward now to hearing proposals for children and tackling child poverty from the other political parties.'

For further information:
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.