The Adolescent and Children

The Adolescent and Children’s Trust (TACT) comments on the tenth anniversary of the Government’s pledge to end child poverty within a generation

The Adolescent and Children’s Trust (TACT) comments on the tenth anniversary of the Government’s pledge to end child poverty within a generation

Wednesday 18 March will be the tenth anniversary of the governments pledge to end child poverty in a generation. TACT, members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, believes that the link between familial poverty and care proceedings means immediate investment necessary for long term benefits.

TACT Chief Executive, Kevin Williams, said:

“Sadly it is true that the children of the poorest families are most likely to go into care. Targeting financial assistance at these families now could prove a wise investment if it avoids the long term traumas and costs of removing children from their families”.

Notes to Editors

. The Adolescent and Children’s Trust (TACT) is the UK’s largest charity provider of fostering and adoption services. Our core work involves providing high quality and well supported fostering or adoptive families for children and young people in the care of local authorities. Working from offices across England, Wales and Scotland we are dedicated to providing creative, effective and outcome-focused services. We also campaign on behalf of children and young people in care, carers and adoptive families.

. This release is made in conjunction with the statement released by End Child Poverty on the tenth anniversary of the Government’s pledge. The full text of the statement is below:
“On the tenth anniversary of the Labour Government pledge to end child poverty in a generation, we, as members of the Campaign to End Child Poverty are asking the Prime Minster: “Will you keep your promise Gordon, and improve the lives of millions of UK children living in poverty today?” As the recession bites, an investment of at least £3 billion would provide a vital timely and targeted injection into families in our poorest communities who are hardest hit. Without this £3bn in the forthcoming budget the Government will be 700,000 children short of its target to halve child poverty by 2010.”

. For further information contact TACT’s Executive Director of External Affairs, Gareth Crossman, on 020 8695 8120.

ENDS