Missed opportunity to halve child poverty

Released on 11/12/2009

Government has missed an opportunity to meet the 2010 target of halving child poverty 

In response to the Pre Budget Report, the End Child Poverty campaign welcomed the Government’s announcements on free school meals but recognises this does not go far enough and more must be done to have a direct impact on children living in poverty.   

Samantha Hyde, Director of the campaign said ‘’The extension of free school meals will take 50,000 children out of poverty but falls woefully short of what is needed to make the Government’s 2010 target to halve child poverty. The goal to end child poverty by 2020 can be met but we need to see governments taking bolder action”. 

‘’The recession must not be used as an excuse for missing the 2010 target; ending child poverty is not only a moral obligation but would also save the exchequer an estimated £25billon a year and go a long way to cutting the government deficit.’’     

The campaign to End Child Poverty is a coalition of more than 130 organisations working to eradicate child poverty in the UK - including the NCT.

ENDS 

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