UNICEF UK STATEMENT ON CHILD POVERTY TASKFORCE

Joanna Rea, Director of Advocacy for the UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) said: “Today’s announcement of a child poverty taskforce could not come soon enough for the millions of children living in poverty across the UK. This is the moment to start making the UK one of the best places to raise a child and reverse years of underinvestment and austerity – which have contributed to the UK having the highest increase in child poverty of any rich country.

“Our latest research shows that families across the country are really struggling – parents borrowing money, skipping meals, and worrying about making ends meet, children going without the essentials they need, starting school already behind their peers, and growing up in stressed and stretched households.

“The first step to lifting babies and young children out of poverty is to immediately abolish the two-child limit on Universal Credit and end the benefit cap. It is during a child’s early years that we have the best chance to set them up to succeed in life, and this is why this child poverty strategy needs to be a national priority.”

ENDS

Notes to editors:
For more information please contact the UNICEF UK media team on 0207 375 6030 [email protected]

About UNICEF 
UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. 
 
The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) raises funds for UNICEF’s emergency and development work for children. We also promote and protect children’s rights in the UK and internationally. We are a UK charity, entirely funded by supporters. 
 
United Kingdom Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK), Registered Charity No. 1072612 (England & Wales), SC043677 (Scotland). 
 
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