The Government has today unveiled its long-awaited Child Poverty Strategy, outlining measures aimed at reducing hardship among families and improving outcomes for children.
The Our Children Our Future policy paper says that around 7.1 million children will see their household incomes increase in the final year of this parliament due to the strategy, including 1.4 million children in deep material poverty.
This comes as UNICEF and OECD analyses confirm that the UK ranks among the highest for child poverty compared to other high-income countries.
Leigh Middleton OBE, CEO, National Youth Agency says:
”“The National Youth Agency welcomes the Government’s Child Poverty Strategy and its ambition to lift over half a million children out of poverty by 2030. This renewed focus is urgent and necessary.
“The strategy sets out a range of measures including removing the two-child limit, expanding free school meals and reducing reliance on temporary accommodation to tackle the structural drivers of poverty and improve outcomes for children and families.
“We know that poverty affects every aspect of a young person’s life from their health and wellbeing to their ability to engage in education, access opportunities and feel safe. Youth work plays a critical role in mitigating these impacts, offering trusted relationships, safe spaces and life-changing support. Yet, as the strategy itself acknowledges, access to youth services has been severely eroded in recent years, particularly in the communities that need them most. Rebuilding these services will be essential so that older children and young people everywhere can access the support they deserve.
“Looking ahead to the Government’s National Youth Strategy (due imminently), we urge for it to build on this momentum and place youth work at the heart of efforts to transform outcomes for young people.”
Leigh Middleton OBEChief Executive, National Youth Agency
