Rising unemployment demands welfare reform rethink

Commenting on today’s new unemployment figures, showing the biggest rise for 17 years, Kate Green, Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said:

“The Government’s welfare reform plans are completely reliant on economic growth, low unemployment and borrowing billions in risky investment from the financial markets. The markets are now bust and so are the plans.

“Sanctions for those without work have no moral justification and must now be reined in. Families must not be punished for the failures of the bankers and politicians who have left our economy in turmoil.

“A rescue package for poor families is now no less urgent and no less affordable than the billions spent bailing out the banks. The economic case for both is clear, but the moral case for keeping families afloat is far greater than for bankers who have been the architects of their own misfortune.

“Nations must always pull together when facing a crisis and it is unthinkable that we would punish or desert our poorest families at this time. Our future economic security relies more on protecting family security than preserving a failed financial system.”

Notes for editors

• 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