The Taskforce, which is co-chaired by the education secretary Bridget Phillipson and work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall and whose members include the Deputy Prime Minister, Chief Secretary to the Treasury and ministers from the devolved nations, aims to confront the ‘wide-ranging and deep-rooted’ causes of child poverty.
According to the latest Government data, over 4 million children are now growing up in low-income families and 700,000 more children are living in poverty compared to 2010.
The Ministerial taskforce plans to reduce child poverty by:
- supporting households to increase their income, including considering social security reforms that support people into work and alleviate poverty
- helping to bring down essential household costs, build savings and tackle problem debt.
- alleviating the negative experience of living in poverty, including through supporting families and the role of public services.
The taskforce will hear from ‘struggling’ families and children, front-line staff and campaigners, charities and organisations across the UK, whose experiences will contribute to the Child Poverty Strategy.
They will also visit cities and towns across the country to hear how child poverty ‘devastates’ local communities and what can be done to combat it.
The taskforce will be supported by a new Child Poverty Unit within the Cabinet Office.
Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said, ‘Child poverty is a scar on our country, which holds back children’s lives and life chances at home, in school and across our communities.
‘The scale of the challenge cannot be overstated. That is why this taskforce, working across Government, is essential to ensure all departments are supporting this ambition and delivering on our mission of breaking down the barriers to opportunity for every child.
‘We will work with stakeholders, families and crucially children themselves so that our approach is guided by those impacted most.’
