Appalling cost of child poverty must end

Commenting on the publication today of research by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, showing that child poverty costs the UK at least £25 billion each year, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said:

“Child poverty is a making our economic problems worse and leaving a massive bill for the tax payer. The cost of failing our children is £1,000 for each UK household every year. The moral case for ending Britain’s child poverty shame is compelling enough, but the financial burden on the nation demands action too.

“As we reform an economic system that only cared about the balance sheet at the end of a day’s trading, we need national investment with strong future returns. Investing in poor children’s lives is the best use of tax payers’ money today and the surest way to protect tax payers tomorrow. It must be at the heart of the economic recovery plan and a major feature of the Chancellor’s Pre-Budget Report.”

Hilary Fisher, Director of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, of which Child Poverty Action Group is a member, said:

"Child poverty means an unacceptable cost to children and families experiencing poverty, but this research shows that not ending child poverty costs us all at least £25 billion per year. In comparison the £3 billion End Child Poverty Campaign members have been calling for to help meet the 2010 target to halve child poverty is very small indeed. The time is now for government to keep its promise by investing in children – it can't afford not to."

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