Statement on new Government ‘winter package’ of poverty measures
The Government has announced several new measures to alleviate poverty across the country this winter, including a new ‘Covid Winter Grant Scheme’ for local authorities to distibute to low income families.
Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive of the National Children’s Bureau and Chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition, said:
“Marcus Rashford deserves enormous credit for pushing the issue of poverty to the top of the public’s agenda and we must also acknowledge the government for listening.”
“But there is not a shortage of food in this country, there is a shortage of money in family budgets to buy it. While these new measures will help families who urgently need a hand, there’s much more that needs to be done to tackle child poverty.”
“We urge the Government to make a serious long-term commitment to put more money in the pockets of hard-pressed families. A crucial first step along this road must be to make the £20-a-week uplift in Universal Credit permanent.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
For further information, please contact the National Children’s Bureau media office: media@ncb.org.uk / 07721 097 033.
For urgent enquiries out of office-hours call: 07721 097 033.
About the National Children’s Bureau
For more than 50 years, the National Children’s Bureau has worked to champion the rights of children and young people in the UK. We interrogate policy and uncover evidence to shape future legislation and develop more effective ways of supporting children and families. As a leading children’s charity, we take the voices of children to the heart of Government, bringing people and organisations together to drive change in society and deliver a better childhood for the UK. We are united for a better childhood.
For more information visit www.ncb.org.uk
About End Child Poverty
End Child Poverty is a coalition of organisations from civic society including children’s charities, child welfare organisations, social justice groups, faith groups, trade unions and others, united in our vision of a UK free of child poverty.
For more details visit: www.endchildpoverty.org.uk
