Report highlights
* Child
poverty is still a major problem: 3.6 million children live in
poverty.
* The
Government's target of reducing child poverty by a quarter by
2004 is likely to be met.
* Meeting
subsequent targets (reduction of child poverty to a half by 2010
and eradicating it by 2020) will be much more challenging since
the achievement of those targets will involve helping those who
are most disadvantaged.
* In
order to halve child poverty the poorest families - measured on
the after housing costs basis - require an extra £10 per
week, per child.
* A
major contribution to meeting the targets is employment, which
in turn necessitates even more availability of affordable childcare,
on top of that already announced by Government.
* Accessible
and affordable childcare available to all by 2010 should be the
government's goal.
* The
government should ensure child poverty is a much more high profile
objective set in the context of the commitment to a fairer society.
A roadmap of progress towards meeting the 2010 target is required.
* The
national anti-poverty strategy must reach beyond raising incomes
and address the human dimension of poverty, thus boosting children's
life chances.
* Concerted
action is recommended to help:
§ parents
with disabilities; and
§ parents
of children with disabilities; and
§ minority
ethnic parents; and
§ lone
parents
move into employment
* The
Government should increase its attempts to tackle child poverty
via all Departments whose responsibilities touch on child poverty.
* Anti-poverty
policies should be mainstreamed across all geographic areas -
not just the 20% most deprived Wards.
* A
full list of conclusions and recommendations is at page 92.
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