We are one of 67 signatories backing the Big Issue’s letter to the government asking for targets to be set in the upcoming child poverty strategy.
The strategy, which is due to be published around the time of the November budget, will not currently include targets for the number of children the government aims to pull out of poverty.
It cannot be understated the importance of holding the government to account when poverty levels are rising significantly. According to predictions from the Child Poverty Action Group, 100,000 further children a year are set to fall into poverty on society’s current projects, with nearly 5 million children expected to live in poverty by 2029.
These targets will provide the government with benchmarks to track progress, ensuring children and families get the support they desperately need. As London’s child poverty charity, the stories of children and families living in poverty are sadly familiar to us. London has the highest rate of child poverty in England, with one third of children in the capital living without a nutritious diet, participating in activities and living without the warmth, safety and security every person deserves.
The Childhood Trust also backs the plans for a significant overhaul of the controversial two-child benefit limit, which impacts 1.7 million children in Britain, in November’s budget.
Our door is always open to conversations and collaboration, whether you’re a charity, funder, philanthropist or commercial organisation. Working together is the only way we can reverse these worrying rates and eradicate poverty.
