Landmark study: child poverty is growing as austerity bites
Responding to the findings of the Poverty and Social Exclusion report released today, The Impoverishment of the UK, Alison Garnham, Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said:
“This is a landmark study; the largest and most authoritative study on poverty and deprivation conducted in the UK. At nearly every turn it paints a grim picture of an enormous rise in child poverty and deprivation that is sending the living standards of huge numbers of children spiralling downwards.
“This is not only shocking and dangerous in public policy terms, but also a catastrophe for the childhoods and life chances of so many of our children.
“Those at the top had the boom, but it’s those at the bottom being made to suffer the bust. This bang-up-to-date survey shows the on-the-ground reality of austerity policies which are hitting the poorest hardest.
“The Beveridge vision was to build our way to a new and prosperous society after the war, and it succeeded. We need the same sense of purpose today, to build and invest in the jobs, housing and childcare that will stimulate the economy and meet the needs of all families.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
· CPAG is the leading charity campaigning for the abolition of child poverty in the UK and for a better deal for low-income families and children.
· CPAG is the host organisation for the Campaign to End Child Poverty, which has over 150 member organisations and is campaigning for public and political commitment to ensure the goal of ending child poverty by 2020 is met.
For further information please contact:
Tim Nichols
CPAG Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216 or 07816 909302
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