True opportunity revolution means delivering an adequate income without strings

Responding to Gordon Brown’s speech to the Welsh Labour conference CPAG’s Chief Executive Kate Green said:

“Benefits and tax credits pay an inadequate income to protect families from poverty – so more money is always welcome but it should come without strings.

“The government has made progress on child poverty, but it missed its first target and is way off meeting its second. We need real announcements to get us back on track; today’s announcements do not measure up to this challenge.

“The first priority is to secure an adequate income for every family, in or out of employment. Most parents want to work and will welcome real help to overcome the barriers they face, but they need to be able to find sustainable well paid jobs, so measures to improve skills and access work must result in decent employment. Whether rich or poor, most parents want to do the best for their kids they don’t need to be told how to be better citizens.”

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:
Paul Dornan CPAG
Head of Policy 07816 909302