Child poverty
Monday, 03 Mar 2008 09:02
The government's commitment to child poverty is under question again today as pressure builds ahead of next week's Budget.
A report from the Commons' work and pensions committee says ministers are failing in their bid to halve child poverty by 2010.
The commitment, originally made by Tony Blair in March 1999, seeks to cut the number of children living in poverty from 3.4 million to 1.7 million.
Today MPs warn progress by 2010 will only see the number down to 2.8 million - well short of the government's target.
It had narrowly missed its interim aim of cutting child poverty by a quarter by 2005 and there are now fears the ultimate aim of eradicating it altogether by 2020 is becoming increasingly challenging.
The report also raises concerns about disparities in the effectiveness of the government's efforts.
It found those children who are disabled or have disabled children, and those who are of Pakistani or Bangladeshi origin, are more at risk of living in poverty.
With next week's Budget fast approaching pressure is growing on Gordon Brown and his chancellor Alistair Darling to demonstrate ongoing determination to their child poverty aims.
Last year's Budget promised to remove a further 200,000 from poverty through tax credits and support for working parents. Commentators are suggesting a greater commitment will be needed this year.
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