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01/12/2003
£1bn needed to ensure child poverty goal is met
Around £1 billion more might need to be spent for the government to meet its target to reduce child poverty to 3.1 million by 2004-05, according to a leading think-tank.
A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies has suggested that any increases to means-tested benefits and tax credits intended to help meet the target need to take effect in April 2004, and therefore need to be announced in the forthcoming Pre-Budget Report.
The government has a target for child poverty to fall to 3.1 million by 2004-05, measured by the number of children in households with less than 60% median income after housing costs.
The latest data from the group shows that 3.8 million children were in poverty in 2001-02 on this definition, or 30% of children in Britain. New simulations by the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggest that on current policies and commitments, the government will narrowly miss its target, with child poverty projected to reach 3.3 million in 2004-05.
The report calls for: an increase of £3 per week in the per child element of the child tax credit which could cost £1 billion; other changes, such as a new child tax credit premium for families with three or more children.
The government is due to announce a new measure of child poverty later this year which it will target in the longer-term.
If it wishes to reduce further child poverty measured under the current definition, then spending on means-tested benefits and tax credits received by poor families with children would need to continue to rise in real terms in the absence of helpful economic or demographic changes, the report claimed.
(gmcg)
A report by the Institute for Fiscal Studies has suggested that any increases to means-tested benefits and tax credits intended to help meet the target need to take effect in April 2004, and therefore need to be announced in the forthcoming Pre-Budget Report.
The government has a target for child poverty to fall to 3.1 million by 2004-05, measured by the number of children in households with less than 60% median income after housing costs.
The latest data from the group shows that 3.8 million children were in poverty in 2001-02 on this definition, or 30% of children in Britain. New simulations by the Institute for Fiscal Studies suggest that on current policies and commitments, the government will narrowly miss its target, with child poverty projected to reach 3.3 million in 2004-05.
The report calls for: an increase of £3 per week in the per child element of the child tax credit which could cost £1 billion; other changes, such as a new child tax credit premium for families with three or more children.
The government is due to announce a new measure of child poverty later this year which it will target in the longer-term.
If it wishes to reduce further child poverty measured under the current definition, then spending on means-tested benefits and tax credits received by poor families with children would need to continue to rise in real terms in the absence of helpful economic or demographic changes, the report claimed.
(gmcg)
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Consultation To End Child Poverty, Launched
The Government has today set out plans to make sure every child gets the best start in life by tackling child poverty, which can unfairly hold children back and prevent them reaching their full potential.
19 June 2007
More than a million children affected by 'severe poverty'
Nearly 1.3 million children are living in severe poverty in the UK, a report by Save the Children has revealed. The charity said that around one in ten children in the UK are now living in families where the income is so low that children are living without essentials like a proper diet or heating in the home.
More than a million children affected by 'severe poverty'
Nearly 1.3 million children are living in severe poverty in the UK, a report by Save the Children has revealed. The charity said that around one in ten children in the UK are now living in families where the income is so low that children are living without essentials like a proper diet or heating in the home.
21 August 2003
Children in poverty need extra £5 per week, says charity
The government will "almost certainly" miss its first target for reducing child poverty unless tax credits for children are increased from next April, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) claimed today.
Children in poverty need extra £5 per week, says charity
The government will "almost certainly" miss its first target for reducing child poverty unless tax credits for children are increased from next April, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) claimed today.
18 December 2003
Labour targets 2020 for removal of child poverty
Child poverty should be removed from Britain by 2020, according to targets contained in the government's 'Measuring Child Poverty' consultation. The report includes new European figures measuring the UK's compared with the rest of Europe in recent years.
Labour targets 2020 for removal of child poverty
Child poverty should be removed from Britain by 2020, according to targets contained in the government's 'Measuring Child Poverty' consultation. The report includes new European figures measuring the UK's compared with the rest of Europe in recent years.
19 November 2008
Ministers Attend London Child Poverty Summit
There's to be a combined effort to tackle the issue of child poverty today as Children's Minister, Beverley Hughes; Financial Secretary, Stephen Timms; Minister for London, Tony McNulty; Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and London Councils' Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell meet to discuss London's child poverty problems and to announce a joint tar
Ministers Attend London Child Poverty Summit
There's to be a combined effort to tackle the issue of child poverty today as Children's Minister, Beverley Hughes; Financial Secretary, Stephen Timms; Minister for London, Tony McNulty; Mayor of London, Boris Johnson and London Councils' Chairman Councillor Merrick Cockell meet to discuss London's child poverty problems and to announce a joint tar
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