New Child Poverty Taskforce

Earlier this week, the Government’s new Child Poverty Taskforce met for the first time.

Sarah Muckle, our Policy Lead for Children and Young People welcomed the news, saying:

“We are very pleased to see that the new Child Poverty Taskforce has now met for the first time. Currently, over four million children in the UK are living in poverty, which has a serious impact on their health and wellbeing now, and in the future. Therefore, it is essential that this is treated as a priority by the new Government.

“It is also reassuring to see that a cross-departmental approach is being taken to this work – something we have long-since called for so that the implications for children’s health and wellbeing can be considered in full, regardless of which department has responsibility for any individual policy or process.

“Ultimately, we would like to see an end to all child poverty, and in our Manifesto for a Healthier Nation, recommend that a new Child Poverty Act with clear targets to end the current unacceptable situation by 2030 is introduced.

“The taskforce’s commitment to working closely with local authorities is particularly welcome, and Directors of Public Health are looking forward to sharing our knowledge and experience as part of that work, and very much hope that our recommendations are taken on board.”