Menu
18/12/2003
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. It found that in 1998, the UK had the worst child poverty rate in Europe, but by 2001 had moved up several places towards the European Union average.
Last week's Pre-Budget Report increased the child tax credit, putting the current target to reduce the number of children in low-income at a quarter by 2004.
Work and Pensions Secretary Andrew Smith said: "We've made good progress since 1997. As a result of the action we've taken on jobs and incomes, the UK is no longer blighted with Europe's worst child poverty problem. We must now strive instead to be amongst the best.
"We're on track with our pledge to reduce the number of children in low income by one-quarter by 2004. Today we propose tough indicators to ensure we continue to be held to account for the progress we make on child poverty, as we move beyond this towards our 2020 ambition of eradication."
Measures will be used as the basis for tracking progress against the long-term goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating it by 2020. Public Service Agreements on the issue will be published as part of successive spending reviews.
(gmcg)
The report includes new European figures measuring the UK's compared with the rest of Europe in recent years. It found that in 1998, the UK had the worst child poverty rate in Europe, but by 2001 had moved up several places towards the European Union average.
Last week's Pre-Budget Report increased the child tax credit, putting the current target to reduce the number of children in low-income at a quarter by 2004.
Work and Pensions Secretary Andrew Smith said: "We've made good progress since 1997. As a result of the action we've taken on jobs and incomes, the UK is no longer blighted with Europe's worst child poverty problem. We must now strive instead to be amongst the best.
"We're on track with our pledge to reduce the number of children in low income by one-quarter by 2004. Today we propose tough indicators to ensure we continue to be held to account for the progress we make on child poverty, as we move beyond this towards our 2020 ambition of eradication."
Measures will be used as the basis for tracking progress against the long-term goals of halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating it by 2020. Public Service Agreements on the issue will be published as part of successive spending reviews.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 January 2009
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.
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.
09 June 2014
UK Child Poverty Plans 'Doomed To Fail'
A watchdog headed by the former health secretary Alan Milburn has said the UK's plans for tackling child poverty are "doomed” to fail" and warned of figures showing there will be 3.5 million children in poverty in Britain by 2020.
UK Child Poverty Plans 'Doomed To Fail'
A watchdog headed by the former health secretary Alan Milburn has said the UK's plans for tackling child poverty are "doomed” to fail" and warned of figures showing there will be 3.5 million children in poverty in Britain by 2020.
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.
28 May 2014
Five Million Children Could Be In Poverty By 2020
A record five million children in the UK could be trapped in poverty by 2020, according to new research by Save the Children.
Five Million Children Could Be In Poverty By 2020
A record five million children in the UK could be trapped in poverty by 2020, according to new research by Save the Children.
15 October 2003
Government 'on course' to meet short-term poverty goals
The government is on course to meet its short-term target for reducing child poverty, according to projections for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The foundation has said that around one million children will have been taken out of poverty by the spring of 2004, compared with 1997.
Government 'on course' to meet short-term poverty goals
The government is on course to meet its short-term target for reducing child poverty, according to projections for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The foundation has said that around one million children will have been taken out of poverty by the spring of 2004, compared with 1997.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Perhaps a touch of ground frost. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
