Government urged to act to reach child poverty target

The government is set to miss its target to halve child poverty by 2010 by nearly one million children unless it backs up the pledge with more investment a leading children’s charity said today.

Barnardo’s, which makes the comments in a new report, has also warned that the government needs to invest a further £3.8 billion in tax credits in order to reach the target.

The charity says that unless the government changes its policies the current child poverty rate of 3.8 million will increase by 140, 000 more children by 2010.

It has also called on ministers to establish a UK Commission on ending child poverty which would identify the policies and investment needed to eradicate the problem.

“We should be ashamed that in 2007, 3.8 million children are living in poverty in the UK, the fifth richest economy in the world. The government must show its commitment and keep its promise to halve child poverty by 2010,” said Martin Narey, chief executive of Barnardo’s.

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Related links

www.endchildpoverty.org.uk

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