Recession survival package needed for families joining the jobless

Commenting on the new figures from the Office for National Statistics showing an increase over 12 months of 170,000 children in households without work, the Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said:

"This situation with families losing work and income is of tremendous concern and calls for urgent action.

“We know the harm done to the wellbeing of children when there’s no longer enough money coming into the house to keep up with basic essentials. It not only harms children today but has social and economic costs for us all in the long term.

“A recession survival package for struggling families is now the most urgent need in our national response to the ongoing economic crisis. Without adequate support the loan sharks will be circling and families are in danger of spiralling into debt.

"A recession survival package for families must be at the heart of the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report this autumn.”

Notes for editors

• Child Poverty Action Group’s manifesto, published in March 2009, can be found at: www.cpag.org.uk/manifesto. It details the actions needed to end UK child poverty.

• 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:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
tnichols@cpag.org.uk