No new progress on child poverty expected but 2010 target can still be met

Commenting ahead of the announcement on Tuesday 10th of June of the child poverty figures for 2006/07, Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green said:

“We don’t expect it to be good news, but we know that with more money now going to poorer families there will be better news to come.

“We can expect a further half million children to be lifted out of poverty from the investment announced since 2007. This will keep the 2010 target [to halve child poverty] within reach, but is not enough to take us there. Keeping the promise depends on new initiatives in the autumn Pre-Budget Report and the 2009 Budget.

“It’s a moral disgrace that we still have one of the worst child poverty records in Europe. Other countries do better, so why should British children suffer? We can end our child poverty shame and we must.”

Notes for editors

• CPAG is one of over 100 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