Child Poverty Taskforce to publish strategy

Cabinet ministers including the deputy prime minister, chief secretary to the Treasury as well as ministers for the devolved nations have joined the Taskforce’s co-chairs, the work and pensions and education secretaries, are working to confront the wide-ranging and deep-rooted causes of child poverty. 

The Ministerial Taskforce is hoped to harness all available levers to drive forward short-term and long-term actions across government to reduce child poverty, by supporting households to increase their income including considering social security reforms that support people into work and alleviate poverty.

As well as this, it will hear directly from struggling families and children, front-line staff and leading campaigners, charities and organisations across the UK to shape the strategy.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson MP said the scale of the challenge of tackling child poverty "cannot be overstated."

She added: "That is why this taskforce, working across government, is essential to ensure all departments are supporting this ambition and delivering on our mission of breaking down the barriers to opportunity for every child.  

"We will work with stakeholders, families and crucially children themselves so that our approach is guided by those impacted most."

It comes as the latest data shows that over four million children are now growing up in a low-income family. 

Work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall MP said: "Child poverty is a scar on our society. It harms children’s life chances and our country as a whole. That is why tackling child poverty is a top priority for this government.

"We will take action in every department, with a comprehensive strategy to drive down poverty and drive up opportunity, building a better future for us all."

As part of their work to develop the strategy, ministers on the Taskforce will also visit cities and towns across the UK, working closely with local and devolved government leaders to hear how child poverty devastates local communities and what can be done to combat it.

Co-chairs Liz Kendall and Bridget Phillipson will meet with the key charities and organisations to kick off regular engagement sessions in the coming weeks. 

The Taskforce will be supported by a new Child Poverty Unit in the Cabinet Office, drawing together experts from within and outside government, to help co-ordinate the development of the strategy.