Government and child poverty

The Work & Pensions Committee (House of Commons) have been investigating child poverty in England. This paper summarises their findings.

Key points:
- If the government is committed to halving poverty by 2010-11 and eradicating it by 2020 then additional investment is required.
- The publics' perception of poverty should be challenged, as child poverty is a real issue in the UK.
- Good childcare is a key strategy as it will enable more parents back to work.
- Some groups, such as those with disabled parents or those of Pakistani and Bangladeshi are disproportionally likely to be in poverty.
- Attempts to help parents back into work are positive but need to be flexible to reflect the complexities of family life (e.g. lone parents, parents with disabled children).
- The "better off in work" credit is a positive step, but might not be sufficient to really impact on the majority intended to benefit.
- There will still be some parents who do not work (even if the government achieves the 80% employment rate) and so benefits will need to increase above inflation (as poverty is measured by the median income).

See earlier blog on the government's policy response.