Government must re-double efforts to end child poverty

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16/03/06 Almost half of all children in one- parent families live in poverty and, disappointingly, poverty in one parent families has remained unchanged over the past year. According to the latest HBAI figures:

48% of children in one-parent families (1,488,000) live in poverty, exactly the same proportion as the year before;
they make up 43% of all poor children, (compared to 42% for the previous year).
Over twice as many children in lone parent families are living in poverty compared to those with two parents (20%).

The Government has set itself a historic and laudable task to reduce and eventually eliminate child poverty, for which it must be applauded, and serious progress has been made - poverty for children in one parent families fell from 59 per cent in 1999/2000, the time at which the target was set, to 48 per cent in 2004/05. But efforts now need to be re-doubled if family incomes are to be improved.

One-parent families need more investment in tax credits in the Budget later this month to ensure they are up-rated in line with earnings and to improve their administration. New investment in Jobcentre Plus and a reformed Child Support Agency will also be essential if we are to make work a viable option for more lone parents. A continued and growing commitment to funding the ongoing revolution in childcare will be crucial if lone parents are to have any chance of improving their income.

What is absolutely certain is that the targets have had a hugely positive influence on the direction of policy and must remain. All eyes now turn to the 2010 target to halve child poverty.

Commenting on today's figures, One Parent Families Chief Executive Chris Pond said:

"These figures show that increasing investment in children really works, with 700,000 fewer children in poverty than in 1998/9. But if child poverty really is to be eradicated in this country by 2020, Government must redouble its efforts because too many children are still missing out. Budget 2006 will be the Government's opportunity to show what measures it will introduce to get us back on track with the targets. "

Press contact: Jane Ahrends on 020 7428 5416/ 0788 1951138

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