Campaigners aim to End Child Poverty

A ‘Month of Action’ to eliminate child poverty in the UK living is being launched today in the House of Commons.

The ‘Month of Action’ is being organised by the End Child Poverty campaign and aims to put tackling child poverty at the heart of the political agenda. During October and November, campaigners will be attempting to raise awareness of the issue among politicians and the public. They will be asking the Government to do more if it is to achieve its aim of ending child poverty by 2020.

The launch is being hosted by John Battle MP (Labour, Leeds West) as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty. Among the speakers at the launch will be the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton MP, as well as young people who have experienced poverty.

Mr Battle said: “This ‘Month of Action’ should put pressure on the Government to do more to meet its pledge to eliminate child poverty. In 1997 the UK had the highest child poverty rate in Europe. Since then 800,000 children have been lifted out of poverty. But there remains still some way to go if we are serious about ending child poverty for good.”

3.4 million children live in poverty in the UK today, which is more than one in four. Research suggests child poverty is particularly widespread in inner-city areas. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has shown that in parts of Leeds the percentage of children living in families claiming out of work benefits is at least twice the national average.

“We need to push the Government to come up with new ways and means of tackling the problem,” said Mr Battle. “Issues like poor housing, and lack of access to decent education and health services, are all causes of poverty – and improving them must be part of the solution. We need greater co-ordination across different sectors to lift these children out of poverty.”

John Battle MP 19 October 2006