Child poverty strategy taskforce launched by government

A ministerial taskforce has been launched to kick off work on the Child Poverty Strategy.

The work and pensions secretary and the education secretary have been appointed as the joint leads of the taskforce.

There will also be a new Child Poverty Unit in the Cabinet Office, which will report into the taskforce. 

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: "For too long children have been left behind, and no decisive action has been taken to address the root causes of poverty. This is completely unacceptable - no child should be left hungry, cold or have their future held back.

"That’s why we’re prioritising work on an ambitious child poverty strategy and my ministers will leave no stone unturned to give every child the very best start at life."

The taskforce is expected to first consider how to use levers related to household income as well as employment, housing, children’s health, childcare and education to improve children’s experiences and chances at life.

The work and pensions secretary Liz Kendall has already met with Save the Children, Action for Children, Barnados, TUC, End Child Poverty Coalition, Resolution Foundation and UNICEF to invite their views on how they can shape the strategy.  

She said: "Too many children are growing up in poverty, blighting their lives now and damaging their future prospects.

"Developing an ambitious strategy to tackle the problem is vital and urgent work which starts today.

"We will turn the tide on rising poverty levels, so that every child no matter where they come from has the best start in life.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson added: "Tackling child poverty is at the heart of breaking down barriers to opportunity and improving the life chances for every child.

"For too many children, living in poverty leaves them not ready to learn and robbed of opportunity. But child poverty reaches far beyond the school gates and alongside the Work and Pensions Secretary, I am determined to drive the work forward to support families and communities.

"This is a shared mission across government and our Taskforce will work closely with parents, charities and civil organisations as part our ambitious strategy to remove the stain of child poverty from our country.”