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Child Poverty Taskforce kicks-off ‘urgent work’ to publish strategy in Spring

19th Aug 2024 - 07:00
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Child Poverty Taskforce kicks-off ‘urgent work’ to publish strategy in Spring
Abstract
Urgent work on tackling one of Britain’s biggest social injustices has started as the Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce met for the first time.

Cabinet ministers including the Deputy Prime Minister, Chief Secretary to the Treasury as well as ministers for the devolved nations have joined the taskforce’s co-chairs, the Work & Pensions and Education Secretaries, to confront the deep-rooted causes of child poverty. 

The ministers set out the huge scale of the challenge in their inaugural meeting, examining why there are 700,000 more children living in poverty compared to 2010. The latest data shows that over four million children are now growing up in a low-income family. 

The taskforce will also hear directly from struggling families and children, front-line staff and leading campaigners, charities and organisations across the UK to shape the strategy.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP said: “Child poverty is a scar on our country, which holds back children’s lives and life chances at home, in school and across our communities. The scale of the challenge cannot be overstated.

“That is why this taskforce, working across Government, is essential to ensure all departments are supporting this ambition and delivering on our mission of breaking down the barriers to opportunity for every child. We will work with stakeholders, families and crucially children themselves so that our approach is guided by those impacted most.”

Written by
Edward Waddell