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Child Poverty Bill is only as good as the resources committed to it says Campaign to End Child Poverty - 28th of Jan, 2009

Today over 85 members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty called on the Government to guarantee that the forthcoming child poverty legislation is underpinned by a set of principles that will ensure major improvements to children’s life chances. 

The Campaign welcomed the legislation, which with sufficient investment by the Government, could offer a solid framework for directing policy and resources, as well as a strong process for holding this and any future Government on track to a 2020 free of child poverty.

However they urged the Chancellor, as minister responsible for the legislation, that it should not detract from the pressing need for Government to invest the necessary resources to reach the interim target of halving child poverty by 2010.

Hilary Fisher, Director said “It is crucial that the journey to 2020 has the best possible start. This Child Poverty Bill will only be as good as the resources committed to it.

There is a pressing need for Government to invest the £3bn necessary in this year’s Budget to keep their promise of halving child poverty by 2010 and help those families on the lowest incomes at such a difficult financial time.

The legislation’s focus on 2020 should not detract from this. “

Hilary Fisher continued “Child poverty is recognised by all the major political parties as a major scar on British society and a cost we can no longer afford.

We look forward to working with Government and Opposition parties to build on this consensus and provide an effective legislative base for eradicating child poverty once and for all.”

Ends

For an interview, additional comment or full copy of the principles contact Laura Payne 0207 2786745 or 07929 125 589

Notes to editors

 The 87 members of the coalition that have signed up to the common principles are: 4Children Action for Children Association for Family Therapy Association of Teachers and Lecturers ATD 4th World Barnardo's British Humanist Association Care Coordination Network Caritas Social Action Network Catch 22 Children in Wales Clic Sargent Communication and Workers Union Community Links Contact a Family Council for Disabled Children CPAG Credit Action CSP CTU&UWRC Daycare Trust Disability Alliance Disabled Parents Network EDCM Elizabeth Finn Care Energy Action Scotland European Anti-Poverty Network England Families Need Fathers Family Action Family Fund Family Parenting Institute Fawcett Society Frank Buttle Trust Hartnell Communications Junior League London Kids Company Leonard Cheshire Disability London Play Mission and Public Affairs Council of the Church of England NASUWT National Assembly of Women National Autistic Society National Childbirth Trust National Children's Bureau National Energy Action National Unemployed Centres Combine National Youth Agency Nationwide Group Staff Union NDNA Northern Ireland Anti-Poverty Network Northern TUC NSPCC NUT One Parent Families One Parent Families West of Scotland Oxfam PCS Poverty Alliance Pre-School Learning Alliance Research in Practice RNID Royal College of Nursing Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health Save the Children Scope Scottish Out of School Care Network Shelter Spurgeon's St John's Ambulance Straight Talking Peer Education The Adolescent and Children's Trust The Children's Society The Scout Association Trades Union Congress Treehouse UCU UK Autism Foundation UKCAP UNICEF UNISON Unite Wales WellChild Westminster Children's Society Whizz-Kidz Women's Budget Group YWCA England and Wales. Z2K  The Statement of Principles notes that the child poverty legislation must:  Define the ‘eradication of child poverty’ and ensure the relative low income target is set at below 5%  Place a duty on Government to publish annual progress reports.  Include a statutory duty on the UK Government to work with the devolved administrations in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  Establish a clear process and timescale for the publication of the first and subsequent strategy documents on child poverty.  Specify interim dates by which steps or key milestones towards the 2020 goal should be achieved.  Ensure the process for formulating strategy is firmly linked to Government spending decisions.  Require ‘poverty-proofing’ of all policies at both national and local levels.  Establish a scrutiny body and engagement with stakeholders.

 The Campaign to End Child Poverty is a coalition of more than 150 organisations working to eradicate child poverty in the UK. It is formed from children's and other charities, social justice groups, faith-groups, trade unions and others concerned about the unacceptably high levels of child poverty in the UK. For more information, visit www.endchildpoverty.org.uk 

 For more information about the Keep the Promise and the largest ever event to end child poverty – visit www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/promise

 The comments in this release represent the views of End Child Poverty and do not necessarily reflect the views of member organisations.