'The future is far from secure for 4 million children in poverty yet there isn’t a plan in the manifesto to tackle record child poverty. The PM’s commitment to increasing the number of families receiving child benefit is welcome but reducing entitlements to disability benefits and increasing sanctions in our social security system will make some of the worst-off families even more insecure. There will be no financial security for millions of struggling families until all parties commit to abolishing the poverty-producing two-child limit and benefit cap and to an increase in the rate of child benefit. Children have no voice in this election but their well-being should be front and centre for all politicians.'
‘Ending child poverty is now the urgent policy priority for any future government and scrapping the two-child limit and benefit cap and expanding free school meals eligibility are essential first steps down that road, but a comprehensive strategy across government is also needed to protect the well being of all children and achieve a fair deal for them - the next Government will need to go further and ensure child benefit is increased across the board and free school meals are available for every child.’
Nine hundred thousand children in poverty are not eligible for free school meals (FSM) because the qualifying criteria is so restrictive, Child Poverty Action Group analysis of DfE FSM data, published today, shows.
Our social security system, like our NHS, should be there for us all, especially those who need it most. It needs updating, so it works in today’s world. By the time it is fully rolled out, half of all children in the UK will live in a household claiming universal credit (UC). With some financial investment and operational changes, UC can be the safety net that families need.
Since our last report was published, the DWP has brought forward the managed migration of 800,000 employment and support allowance (ESA) claimants who do not get tax credits, which had been delayed until 2028.
To mark the day of his funeral, we're publishing our tribute to Frank, who was a true champion for children and low‐income families. He was a rare and admirable ‘one off’. He will be greatly missed.
Responding to the First Minister’s Statement on ‘Priorities for Scotland’ John Dickie, Director of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG), said “First Minister’s commitment must be backed by concrete policies and investment on a scale well beyond what we heard today”