New reforms could 'neglect our children'
Baroness Massey explores how bills currently under consideration in Parliament might adversely affect child poverty levels.
My question seeks to explore how children's life chances may be affected by poverty, and also how bills currently under consideration in Parliament, particularly the Welfare Reform Bill, might adversely affect child poverty levels.
There are 3.5 million children living in poverty in the UK after housing costs, and 2.5 million before housing costs. This means that one in four children (27 per cent) is living in poverty after housing costs, and one in five (19 per cent) before. Under the terms of the Child Poverty Act 2010, the government is committed to reducing the number of children living below 60 per cent of median incomes before housing costs.
According to estimates, a further 100,000 children are likely to fall into poverty. According to the IFS, child poverty is expected to rise by 400,000 between now and 2015/16. This is largely due to the proposed government welfare reforms.
There is good evidence to show that lack of income reduces life chances. According to the UNCRC, children have a right to social and economic rights, including an adequate standard of living (Article 27). If we neglect our children, then we are simply storing up problems for the future.
Baroness Massey was raised to peerage in 1999 and has chaired the Children APPG since 2001.
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