Take-up campaign targets families

A campaign to reduce child poverty by providing local authorities
and their partners with guidance to ensure families at risk claim
their benefits and tax credits has been launched by the Local
Government Association.

The Quids for Kids campaign aims to encourage councils and their
partners in the community and voluntary sector to carry out locally
co-ordinated benefits take-up work, arguing that this is essential
to improving the quality of life of poor and middle income
families. The LGA believes that take-up work also helps reduce
pressure on other areas, such as education and social
services.

They are currently pushing for a “partnership against poverty”
forum, which will be run with a number of stakeholders, including
the Department for Work and Pensions and the Inland Revenue.

– LGA good practice guide and electronic toolkit from www.lga.gov.uk/quidsforkids.asp