Help needed for those struggling with rent and bills as well as mortgages

Commenting on the Government’s package of support for home owners and first time buyers suffering from the credit crunch, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said:

“This is important extra help for families struggling to keep their heads above water and will hopefully make the difference for many home owners. But it is only one element of a bigger strategy that is urgently needed to help families through the economic downturn.

“The Government must remember all those who are not homeowners but are also in danger of losing their homes because they cannot keep up with the rent and the bills. A package of measures to boost the incomes of the poorest families is essential in the Pre-Budget Report.

“The downturn means more families may join those already unable to work. It is vital that families excluded from work by redundancy, discrimination, low skills or who are working hard to care for children and disabled family members are given the income boost needed through essential welfare benefits to protect them from rocketing food and fuel costs.”

Notes for editors

• British people will have the opportunity to show their support for the poorest families who are hit by the economic downturn by attending the Keep the Promise rally on October 4th calling for the Government to deliver on its promise to end child poverty. See: www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/keepthepromiseevent
• CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and children.
• CPAG is one of over 130 member organisations of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending child poverty by 2020 are met.

For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
tnichols@cpag.org.uk