The Government record on child poverty is shockingly bad. Child poverty is as bad as it was five years ago. The number of children in "official" poverty is 4 million while the number of children in deeper poverty is 2.7 million. Worse still, child poverty is rising. 400,000 more children have fallen into poverty since 2004. Child poverty is now as high as it was six years ago.
The figures highlight a stark message. After great progress 5-10 years ago, the war against child poverty is increasingly being lost under Gordon Brown.
Worryingly, "official" child poverty is set quite high. So the Government concentrates on getting the richest of the poor "over the line". As a result, children living in deeper poverty, where help is most needed, can get left behind. A Government that cared would have focused on the poorest of poor children. But not this one. This one focusses on the richest of the poor to meet their target of tackling "official" child poverty. It’s all a bit like the Tin Man: no heart.
Charlie Elphicke believes that child poverty is not just offensive - it damages our country's future prospects as well. Children in poverty are less likely to do well at school, are more likely to get into crime and underachieve. Every child has a right to achieve its fullest potential and we need to do more to help our kids be all they can be. Charlie believes we should help children in deepest deprivation first of all.
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Sorry, don't get this 'child poverty' thing. I was very poor as a child. I only got 1/6 (old money) pockey money a week. Fortunately for me, however, my parents (also poor; my dad was a bus driver!) kep a roof over our heads and food on the table!
- Sue M Thomas
I just feel it's really important to make sure our kids are properly fed, have decent shoes and don't go to school feeling less "good" than any other child. The best inheritance is an education and the best life chances are when there is enough to eat and be clothed properly. The problem is that Government policy is not aimed at helping the poorest of the poor and this is a real problem, to my mind.
- Charlie Elphicke
i have had my own idea on this for a number of years. child credit/benefit paid into a pot for the child, parents not allowed near!! the money can then be spent by a form teacher on things like a uniform, grub, extra lessons, trips etc depending on the circumstances of the child. chas is right about all children feeling equal when they go through the school gates, this is where the underclass can take root.
- howardmcsweeney
I work with these so called poor families and at £1000 a month received in benefits, not including housing benefit or council tax benefit. I think they should manage getting shoes on their children's feet. The problem is those of us who work are paying for these "poor familes" to waste their money whilst we have to budget and spend wisely. You can keep throwing money at them but that won't help solve the problem. Meanwhile us honest tax payers are getting poorer by the day.
- T. Stewart