A coalition of prominent figures, including actress Emilia Clarke, broadcaster Chris Packham, and architect George Clarke, has signed an open letter urging the UK government to establish binding targets for reducing child poverty. The letter was organised by John Bird, the founder of the Big Issue. It finds particular problem with the government’s refusal to set any measurable targets for child poverty reduction, even as child poverty soars.
This latest call to action comes amid increased pressure from lawmakers, advocacy groups, and the public. Celebrities, MPs and children’s charities alike are all doing their part to speak out. Yet the government has pushed back its plan to tackle child poverty. Originally scheduled for release in spring 2025, that new timeline has moved to fall 2025, with a publication likely around the November budget address.
The letter goes on to talk about how, without these binding targets, the Government could make underwhelming progress on a crucial issue of child poverty. “Quite simply, we’re worried that the government does not want its homework marked when it comes to child poverty,” the letter states. It claims that “targets will create the accountability that comes with having clear benchmarks to measure progress against and continue to accelerate action. But the government’s reticence to date has left us concerned that they’re looking to dodge this important layer of oversight.
John Bird is preparing to reintroduce that amendment. This is a welcome amendment that seeks to establish child poverty reduction targets during report stage of the relevant bill in the House of Lords later this year. Yet the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted this amendment down all the way back in June. Education Minister Jacqui Smith said that establishing such targets could do more harm than good. “Targets risk adversely narrowing the focus of effort to moving the children closest to the poverty line over it,” Smith stated.
Our United Kingdom neighbor to the north, Scotland, is making history by passing targets for reducing child poverty. The 2017 Child Poverty Act would require fewer than 10% of children to live in relative poverty by 2030. Scotland has failed to meet its recent interim targets for 2023-24. There’s no penalty or enforcement mechanism to act on targets missed.
Unsurprisingly, the Resolution Foundation is skeptical about half-measure solutions. They argue against replacing the popular but controversial two-child benefit limit with a new tapered benefit. In fact, it makes the case that these types of changes would result in minimal or no tangible improvements in national child poverty rates. Charities, many of them faith based, have articulated these concerns powerfully. They are afraid that doing nothing more than tweaking current policies will address the underlying cause families in deep poverty.
The government’s much-anticipated, second budget of this year is already believed to include a radical reform of the controversial two-child benefit limit policy. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has set a new tone by hinting at dramatic breakthroughs in this fall’s budget.
Program priorities
It will prioritize reducing financial burdens on families. In a recent statement, a government spokesperson highlighted efforts already underway: “We are investing £500m in children’s development through the rollout of Best Start family hubs, extending free school meals and ensuring the poorest don’t go hungry in the holidays through a new £1bn crisis support package.”
As laudable as these initiatives are, many advocates say that talk needs to turn into actual legislation. John Bird emphasized this sentiment: “We cannot accept rhetoric in place of real change – we must demand sustained, legislative action.”