New Lib Dem poverty policies must be backed by investment needed to end child poverty

Commenting on the new Liberal Democrat policy paper, ‘Freedom from Poverty, Opportunity for All: policies for a fairer Britain’, published today, Child Poverty Action Group’s Chief Executive, Kate Green, said:

“The paper contains many welcome proposals; in particular a ‘pupil premium’ to help meet the extra support needs of disadvantaged pupils.

“The party is to be congratulated on improving its focus on the life chances of children affected by poverty. By making a firm commitment to end child poverty by 2020 they have thrown down the gauntlet to the Conservatives, who have yet to do so. But despite some strong policy proposals in today’s paper, their commitment to ending child poverty will not be credible unless and until they are also committed to providing the additional investment needed to do so.

“As a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, we are calling on all the parties to commit to the £4 billion annual investment that work by the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggests is needed to meet the target of halving child poverty by 2010. This is an essential stepping stone towards ending child poverty by 2020.”

Notes to Editors

• CPAG is a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty

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