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Memorandum submitted by the Church of England's
In July 2001, the General Synod of the Church of England reaffirmed that a Christian understanding of justice requires that the fundamental needs of each person and family within society, especially the needs of children, are met[1]. The General Synod unanimously passed a motion asking Her Majesty's Government to commission independent research identifying minimum income standards related to need and then to bring forward legislation that will put such minimum standards into effect[2].
The current Child Poverty Bill provides an ideal opportunity to put such legislation into place. We therefore ask you to consider seriously the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust's amendment to the Bill requiring the Government to have regard to minimum income standards (MIS) research when setting the levels of all statutory minimum incomes.
Z2K's proposed amendment.
A. The Bill should include a requirement on the Secretary of State to have regard to the minimum income standards independently research and published. Insert Clause 3 (4) Minimum Income Standards: (1) In the exercise of his duties, the Secretary of State shall have regard to minimum income standards independently researched.
(2) Where no data on minimum currently incomes exists it shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to commission independent research into the minimum levels of incomes necessary to sustain a healthy diet, other necessities, safety and wellbeing for
(i) an individual (ii) a couple (iii) any child or children residing with an individual adult or adult couple
(3) Minimum income standards in respect of any individual, couple or family are the minimum income required:
(i) to ensure the health and adequate diet of a person
(ii) to secure the purchase and access to goods and services necessary to wellbeing and social inclusion
(iii) to support the needs of children and to enable provision for their future participation in the community
One of the most striking aspects of contemporary British society has been the growing gap between rich and poor, even in the lifetime of this Government. This has been highlighted most recently in the findings of The Children's Society's Good Childhood (r) Inquiry. In their final report they conclude that the wellbeing of all our children is directly proportionate to the levels of inequality imbedded in our society[3]. Establishing what all children in our society need as a minimum to flourish is an important step to improving children's wellbeing.
As a member of End Child Poverty the Church of England warmly welcomes the Child Poverty Bill as an important step forward in ensuring that tackling child poverty is a priority for Government and we wish it every success in its passage through Parliament.
October 2009 [1] 'Low cost but Just' A Theological response to the report of the Family Budget Unit by the Revd Dr Nicholas Sagovsky [2] Church of [3] 'A good childhood: Searching for values in a competitive age' Richard Layard and Judy Dunn Penguin Books 2009 pp 129 - 150 |