Government must take final step to complete progress to 2010 child poverty target

On the 10 year anniversary of the Government’s pledge to eradicate child poverty – and as Child Poverty Action Group launch their new manifesto – Chief Executive, Kate Green, has spoken about the imperative the Government has next month to complete their progress towards halving child poverty by 2010. She said:

“The Government is on track to have lifted over a million children out of poverty by 2010, but must reach another 700,000 to keep the promise to halve child poverty. The toughest part of reaching the 2010 target is done and the final step must now be taken.

“Helping low income families will also give the economy a badly needed boost. All the evidence shows that putting money in the hands of the poorest is the quickest and most targeted way to help the economy. Struggling families immediately spend any extra money on the things their children need in their local businesses.

“We live in a deeply unequal society, which damages children most of all. An immoral economy, where greed was justified by the tyranny of markets, lies behind both our current economic crisis and Britain’s child poverty shame. The economy we rebuild must be led by values, not markets.

“On this historic anniversary of the greatest political promise in a generation, we are asking the Government to use next month’s Budget to keep their promise to poor children and boost the economy. It will take leadership in this difficult time, but it is the right thing to do.”

Notes for editors

• Child Poverty Action Group’s manifesto: Ending Child Poverty can be found from 18 March 2009 at www.cpag.org.uk/manifesto
• Save the Children are today launching a briefing on the fiscal stimulus potential of investment to meet the 2010 target to halve child poverty.
  
  
• For up-to-date background facts and stats on UK child poverty and the Government’s targets, visit: http://www.cpag.org.uk/povertyfacts/
• 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 150 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