New Prime Minister must close inequality gap

Commenting on reports published today by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, which suggest that the gap between rich and poor has grown, Child Poverty Action Group’s Chief Executive, Kate Green, said:

“The research portrays a deeply concerning picture of two Britains, one with ever growing wealth and the other stuck in poverty, living side by side but having little to do with each other. Children born in poverty have very poor chances of becoming part of wealthy Britain in their lifetime.

“Inequality not only damages individuals’ lives but comes at a cost to us all through social problems like educational failure, higher health costs, increased risk of disability, and the higher crime levels known to be associated with the high levels of inequality we have in the UK.

“Gordon Brown must have a clear purpose and strategy to close the gap between rich and poor. Providing the £4 billion investment needed meet the Government’s target of halving child poverty by 2010 would be an important start.”

Notes to Editors

• CPAG is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty
• Joseph Rowntree Foundation press release:
  New poverty and wealth maps of Britain reveal inequality to be at 40-year high

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