By Vivienne Russell
12th June 2009
Child poverty campaigners are hoping the reshuffled Cabinet will review its stance on welfare reform.
Former chief secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper has replaced James Purnell as work and pensions secretary. Purnell had pushed through a series of welfare reform proposals that Child Poverty Action Group criticised as populist, punitive and not rooted in evidence.
Gabrielle Preston, policy officer at the CPAG, said it was a good moment for the government to reappraise its approach.
‘I don’t know if the feverish speculation about the future of the [Labour] party will generate fruitful discussion on welfare reform. I hope it will,’ she told Public Finance.
‘It seems like an auspicious moment for them to rethink priorities. It would be a shame if they didn’t.’
Preston added that something had ‘gone really wrong’ in the formulation and presentation of welfare policy.
‘[Benefit claimants] don’t feel heard or respected or represented. They just feel ashamed.’
The Child Poverty Bill was published on June 12. It places a legal duty on councils and other public sector organisations to work together to support families with the aim of eradicating child poverty by 2020.
Cooper said: ‘This Bill is about giving every child a fair chance in life.
‘I want a society where children don't miss out on school trips, aren't stuck in poor housing with no space to do their homework and aren't left behind because they don't have a computer or internet access.
‘This is a big challenge, and one which we will not shy away from. It holds current and future governments' feet to the flames and won't allow any to quietly forget about child poverty or walk away.’
