Darling must deliver for struggling families

8.12.09

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has written to the Chancellor Alistair Darling urging him to use tomorrows Pre Budget Report (PBR) to target support on struggling families. The charity has outlined a number of proposals which will make a difference to low income families now, help the government get as close as possible to it’s 2010 target to half child poverty and lead to long term savings by cutting the estimated £25 billion child poverty costs the UK each year.

The measures CPAG are calling for include tackling in-work poverty by increasing the minimum wage and providing universal free school meals as well as allowing low income families to keep more of the benefits they need to stay afloat as they move into work. CPAG are asking the Chancellor to provide support families by increasing child benefit and tax credits. John Dickie, Acting Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group said.

"The Chancellor must use this pre budget report to show us that he is committed to helping struggling families. Without decisive action the Government stands to miss its own 2010 target of halving child poverty by an unacceptable 500,000 children.

"Protecting children from poverty must be the priority, particularly in the current economic climate of recession and rising unemployment. The Chancellor must use the PBR to target support on those who need it most – our worst off families."

Notes for editors

• Child Poverty Action Group will have a spokesperson available for comment throughout the day of the Pre Budget Report
• Child Poverty Action Group’s letter to Alistair Darling can be found here: http://www.cpag.org.uk/info/briefings_policy/CPAG_pre_budget_review_letter_2009.pdf
• Child Poverty Action Group’s manifesto, published in March 2009, can be found at: www.cpag.org.uk/manifesto
• For up-to-date background facts and stats on UK poverty, visit: www.cpag.org.uk/povertyfacts/
• CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and children.
• CPAG is one of over 150 member organisations of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and ending child poverty by 2020 are met.

For further information please contact:
Joshua Fenton-Glynn
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
jfentonglynn@cpag.org.uk