Scottish Affairs Committee calls for 'caution’ on pushing parents into work, and “more resources” to tackle child poverty

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) in Scotland today backed a report from the Scottish Affairs Committee calling on Ministers to be “cautious” in suggesting all parents are expected to work. The poverty campaigners also supported the MPs call for “significantly more resources” to halve child poverty by 2010.

John Dickie, Head of CPAG in Scotland, welcomed the Report saying;

“New Work and Pensions secretary, James Purnell, must listen carefully to MPs concerns about pushing all parents into work, including lone parents and those facing disability and ill health. The Government must put the brakes on the dash to strip lone parents of Income Support rights, when the child care places and family friendly employers are simply not there. Parents know their children’s care needs best and nearly all are keen to work when the time is right.

“With child poverty rates in Scotland amongst the worst in Europe the Committee's call for more resources to boost the incomes of our poorest families is extremely welcome. Time is running out and the Chancellor must use this year’s Budget to help children in poverty. Independent analysis shows 4billion a year is now needed to reach the Government’s target to halve child poverty by 2010. That might sound a lot, buts its only 0.3% of GDP. Surely it’s the least our children deserve.”

Members of the Committee also say they are “attracted to the idea” of increasing child benefit for all children to the higher rate, currently 18.10, paid to first born children.

Mr. Dickie welcomed the suggestion, saying;

“Increasing Child Benefit so that all children get the higher rate would lift up to 30 000 children out of poverty in Scotland alone. As the Committee notes, Child Benefit has a high take up rate and helps many of the poorest families, families who too often miss out on means tested benefits. The Chancellor must use this year’s Budget to put additional investment into universal Child Benefit along with targeted child tax credits. This would give a real boost to family incomes, giving more parents the financial security to protect their children from the damage poverty causes. "

CPAG in Scotland also welcomed the Committee’s conclusion that:

• Government must increase the take up of benefits and tax credits (para 23)
• “the tax and benefits system must, at a minimum, ensure that no one in full time work is living in poverty” (para 37). Currently a quarter of children living in poverty live in a family where an adult is working full time.
• “Age based discrimination in the tax and benefits systems...should end” (para 80). Currently young people are entitled to lower levels of Income Support and Job Seeker Allowance
• Government must remove barriers to entering work, including increasing access to affordable childcare (para 45)
• UK Government must work with Scottish Government and local authorities in a “joined up approach” to tackle child poverty (para 53)

Media contacts:
John Dickie, Head of CPAG in Scotland on 0141 552 3656 mobile 07795 340 618

Notes for editors

1. See in particular paragraphs 47, 62, 70 and 74. Copies of the report are available from scotaffcom@parliament.uk or call 020 7219 2173. The full text will be available on the Committee’s website on the day of publication www.parliament.uk/scotaffcom/
2. The Report is being launched at 10.30am Monday 4th February City Chambers Business Centre, City of Edinburgh Council, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YJ. If you wish to attend please email scotaffcom@parliament.uk or telephone 020 7219 2173 / 6125. John Dickie, head of CPAG in Scotland, will be available for interviews.
3. CPAG in Scotland submitted written evidence to the Scottish Affairs Committee enquiry into Poverty In Scotland see http://www.cpag.org.uk/scotland/SAC_Poverty_submission_1006.doc and gave oral evidence on 20 March 2007, see http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200607/cmselect/cmscotaf/uc168-vii/uc16802.htm.