Secretary of Education Bridget Phillipson expresses regret over high rates of child poverty
In the UK, more than 100 children are estimated to be pulled into poverty each day due to the delay in the Government's child poverty strategy, according to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. Ms. Phillipson, co-chairwoman of the child poverty taskforce, expressed her shame over the high levels of child poverty in the country.
Ms. Phillipson did not confirm whether the Government will lift the two-child benefit limit but stated they are looking at every way to lift children out of poverty. The two-child benefits cap, announced in 2015 by the Conservatives, restricts child tax credit and universal credit to the first two children in most households.
A group of 38 senior faith leaders, including former archbishop of Canterbury Lord Rowan Williams, have signed an open letter calling for the scrapping of the two-child limit. Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell stated that the failure to tackle child poverty in the UK is "deeply shaming for us as a nation". He supports suggestions by former prime minister Gordon Brown to reform gambling taxes and levy banks to fund efforts to ease poverty.
Archbishop Cottrell also highlighted the dire situation many children are facing, stating that thousands of children in the UK go to school hungry and without proper sleeping arrangements due to poverty. Revd Richard Andrew, president of the Methodist Conference, described the call for change as a "cry for change, rooted in our belief that change is possible".
The faith leaders argue that ending the two-child limit is the most cost-effective way to address child poverty. Scrapping both the two-child benefits cap and the benefits cap would cost approximately £3.3 billion.
In response to the growing concern, the Government has invested £500 million in children's development and extended free school meals as part of a £1 billion crisis support package. Ms. Phillipson mentioned the expansion of taxpayer-funded childcare, free school meals, and breakfast clubs in England as measures to address child poverty.
The Government's child poverty strategy, originally expected in the spring, is now due to be published in the autumn. The strategy will include an examination of social security measures. Ms. Phillipson stated that not acting on child poverty also comes with serious consequences and impact.
In conclusion, the issue of child poverty in the UK is a matter of urgent concern for many, including leading faith figures. The faith leaders' call for the abolition of the two-child limit and other policies restricting support for families with multiple children is gaining momentum. The Government's forthcoming child poverty strategy will be closely watched as it addresses this critical issue.
