13 June 2008
Ministers were forced on the defensive this week after official figures showed that the number of children living in poverty has increased for the second year running.
The news fuelled doubts that the government could meet its targets of halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating it entirely by 2020.
The figures, published by the Office for National Statistics on June 10, revealed that, in 2006/07, 2.9 million children were living in poverty – a rise of 100,000 on the previous year.
Child Poverty Action Group chief executive Kate Green urged ministers not to take a holiday from their commitments. 'Every year progress must be planned, invested in and achieved. And every year we must act to end the inequality that is blighting Britain and turning us into a divided nation,' she said.
'We all know that even in tight Budget years, funding for the most important needs can be found. Failure in 2010 would not be due to a lack of national wealth, but a lack of moral leadership.'
The independent Institute for Fiscal Studies calculated that the government would need to spend an extra £2.8bn a year by 2010/11 to give itself a 50-50 chance of meeting the 2010 target.
Responding to the figures, Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell said: 'Had the government done nothing other than simply uprate the tax and benefit system, we estimate there would have been 1.7 million more children… in poverty today.'
Children's minister Beverley Hughes added: 'We will not abandon any of our children to a future of poverty and disadvantage and we remain 100% committed to these goals.'
Ministers restated this commitment to the children, schools and families select committee earlier in the week.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Yvette Cooper said the increases in child benefit and in the child element of tax credits would help the government reach its target but added: 'We can't simply address the problem through financial support measures. We have to look at the next generation and what we can do to help them raise their skills levels.'
PFjun2008
