Fabian Report should ‘set agenda for Brown’s spending review’ says CPAG
30.03.06

The final report of the Fabian Commission on Life Chances and Child Poverty should set the agenda for next year’s Comprehensive Spending Review, according to a leading charity. Responding to the ‘Narrowing the Gap’ report, the Child Poverty Action Group’s Chief Executive Kate Green said:

“The Fabian Commission’s report starkly shows how children’s life chances are still determined before they are born and affected throughout their childhood. Damaged life chances in childhood have long-term consequences, so there is a strong moral and economic argument that needs to be made for reducing inequality and ending child poverty once and for all.

“Having missed its first child poverty target, this report should set the Government’s agenda for next year’s Comprehensive Spending Review, which will be the last chance to ensure that child poverty really can be halved by 2010. As the Commission rightly says, tackling child poverty should be a central national priority in the CSR.”

Kate Green added:

“The recommendations, such as increasing child benefit, child tax credit and the minimum wage at least in line with or above average earnings, targeting spending and policy to reduce educational inequalities and working towards a system of universal high quality childcare, are essential if the Government is to meet its ambitious goals.

“A cross-departmental review on what action is needed to narrow the gaps in life chances should be the first task of the new Cabinet Minister for Social Exclusion as soon as they are appointed.

“As the debate on the Comprehensive Spending Review begins, the Commission should be congratulated for producing such a powerful and timely report.

“It’s now time for all political parties to put eradicating child poverty at the top of their agendas and publicly make the case for narrowing the gap in our unequal society.”

 

Notes to Editors:
For further information from the Fabian Society please contact Tom Hampson on 020 7227 4901 or 07889 071711.

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