Child poverty consultation welcome step to robust strategy

Commenting on the publication today of the Government’s consultation ahead of publishing a Child Poverty Bill, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said:

“This initiative makes clear that ending child poverty remains the long term national priority. There is no reason why so many more British children should continue to suffer from poverty and all its problems than those in other wealthy countries.

“The proposed commission will not be sufficient unless it is an independent scrutiny body sitting throughout the period up to 2020. It is vital that the milestones referred to are firm interim targets to ensure progress between 2010 and 2020.

“The progress to work and childcare strategies fully support the Government’s child poverty strategy or success will be impossible. So far, the lack of high quality childcare and ill-considered welfare reforms for parents have undermined progress on child poverty.

“The Government has firmly stated today its wish to end child poverty, but its will to end child poverty must be proved in the Budget. Fiscal stimulus must urgently be directed through poor families, ensuring we meet the 2010 target, protect family security and promote economic security in this time of trouble. Without meeting the 2010 target, the whole strategy has no firm foundation.”

Notes for editors

• CPAG has supported the principle laid out by the members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty on the requirements of the forthcoming Child Poverty Bill, which can be found at the Campaign’s website: http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/files/a2209%20Final%20ECP%20Principles.doc
• Chid poverty consultation from the Child Poverty Unit, Ending child poverty: making it happen
• 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