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NASUWT: Autumn statement should tackle child poverty and homelessness

NASUWT: Autumn statement should tackle child poverty and homelessness

Commenting ahead of the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement tomorrow, Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers’ union, said:

“The Autumn statement provides the opportunity for the Chancellor to acknowledge the toll his economic policies are inflicting on some of the most vulnerable members of our society.

“On Christmas day this year, according to Shelter, 80,000 children will be homeless.

“These children, often placed in temporary accommodation, will struggle to access healthy food, will be denied a place to play and are at high risk of witnessing disturbing incidents such as drug taking and violence.

“The Child Poverty Action Group has warned that Coalition Government policies are predicted to result in an estimated 600,000 more children living in poverty by 2015/16. The figures are rising year on year.

“These are shocking and shameful statistics.

“While the Chancellor agonises over whether or not to give tax cuts to the wealthy, thousands of children and young people are suffering.

“Teachers and other public service workers are struggling to pick up the pieces, doing their best to try to compensate for the effects poverty and homelessness has on children’s educational progress, health and life chances.

“When the Chancellor gets to his feet tomorrow, his priority should be to end the misery of these children and young people.”

ENDS

Lena Davies
Press and Media Officer
NASUWT
0121 457 6250 / 07867 392746
lena.davies@mail.nasuwt.org.uk