Action for Children responds to Children's Commissioner's statement 'Child Poverty: The Crisis We Can't Keep Ignoring'

Action for Children’s director of policy and campaigns, Imran Hussain, said:

“It’s hard to see how a government that seems to be in denial about child poverty can hope to level up the country for children. The Children’s Commissioner, along with experts and politicians from across the spectrum, is clear that poverty is harming childhoods and life chances as the Government’s approach continues to fail. Child poverty rates were at a record-high at the start of the pandemic and will continue to rise without a broad response. 

“Every day our frontline workers see parents who are desperately trying to keep their kids warm, clothed and well-fed. The ongoing national lockdown and school closures make this an extremely worrying time for millions of hard-pressed families up and down the country.

“A credible national child poverty strategy is needed if we are to start rebuilding children’s lives. As a vital first step, the Prime Minister must commit to keeping the £20 Universal Credit and Working Tax Credit uplift lifeline.”

ENDS

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Notes to editor

Action for Children protects and supports vulnerable children and young people by providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. With 476 services in communities across the country, the charity helps more than 387,000 children, teenagers, parents and carers a year. actionforchildren.org.uk