Government Unveils Child Poverty Strategy for 2030

The Government has published its new Child Poverty Strategy, setting out measures it says will lift around 550,000 children out of poverty by the end of this Parliament. The strategy outlines plans to reduce living costs for families, increase childcare support, and improve the response to children living in temporary accommodation.

Key elements include changes for working parents on Universal Credit, with upfront childcare support extended to those returning from parental leave, and eligibility widened so families can receive childcare support for more than two children. The strategy also proposes ending the use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation for families beyond the six-week legal limit, supported by £8 million for Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots and £950 million for a new round of the Local Authority Housing Fund to expand suitable temporary housing.

A new legal duty will require councils to notify schools, health visitors and GPs when a child enters temporary accommodation, enabling earlier support from local services. The strategy also aims to reduce the cost of infant formula by enabling the use of loyalty points, vouchers and gift cards, alongside issuing guidance to retailers.

Alongside the reversal of the two-child limit in Universal Credit, the government estimates that 7.1 million children will see household incomes increase, including 1.4 million in deep material poverty. The strategy has been developed with input from families with lived experience of poverty and organisations such as Save the Children, Citizens Advice and the Changing Realities project.

The government has framed the strategy as the first step towards meeting its commitment to reduce child poverty during this Parliament, with further detail expected in the forthcoming Homelessness Strategy.

Read the full announcement here

The Local Government Association has responded to the strategy with this statement:

“Child poverty not only limits children’s life chances and wellbeing but also imposes significant long-term costs on our economy and society.

“Councils want to work with government and partners to combat child poverty. We are pleased this strategy recognises the importance of integrating local services including housing, health, and family support to better meet the needs of disadvantaged children. We are also pleased to see national measures aimed at reducing in-work poverty and making it easier for parents to access childcare and progress in work, which will improve outcomes and alleviate pressure on local hardship support.

“The renewed emphasis on prevention in key areas including housing, social care, employment support and health, is a positive step. Councils will continue to work closely with government to identify ways in which integration and service reform can enable earlier intervention in the underlying causes of disadvantage.

“However, without additional investment in these services – and a recognition that councils still face high levels of immediate demand in many acute services – it is hard to see how we will be able to achieve the step change that is needed to reverse current trends successfully.”

RSN Comment:

We welcome the commitment to reduce child poverty, recognising the devastating impact that it can have on young people.  However, in order to be able to deliver on this strategy, rural councils will need adequate resources, particularly to have better control over the temporary accommodation market, which may be limited in rural communities.