Child poverty campaigners are hoping the newly reshuffled government 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 the Child Poverty Action Group criticises as populist, punitive and not rooted in evidence.
Gabrielle Preston, policy officer at the CPAG, said it was a good time for ministers to reappraise their approach. She told Public Finance 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 Bill to enshrine child poverty eradication in law was published on June 12. The Child Poverty Bill would place a legal duty on councils and other public sector organisations to work together to support families so that child poverty is eradicated by 2020.
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 the Child Poverty Action Group criticises as populist, punitive and not rooted in evidence.
Gabrielle Preston, policy officer at the CPAG, said it was a good time for ministers to reappraise their approach. She told Public Finance 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 Bill to enshrine child poverty eradication in law was published on June 12. The Child Poverty Bill would place a legal duty on councils and other public sector organisations to work together to support families so that child poverty is eradicated by 2020.
