Dear Collegues,
Appologies for cross posting.
You may be interested in this press release which accompanies CPAG's
manifesto to end child poverty, launched today. The manifesto can be
downloaded from www.cpag.org.uk
Best wishes
Paul Dornan
Press Release
Wednesday 19th January 2005
Embargoed until 00.01
40th Anniversary year for leading children’s charity
Ten steps to a society free of child poverty
40 years after CPAG was founded, child poverty remains ‘…alive and well…’
Leading children’s charity the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) has today
published its manifesto in which it argues that the UK is just ten steps
away from a society free of child poverty.
CPAG, which was founded 40 years ago this year, is marking its anniversary
by throwing down ten challenges to politicians to address poverty, which in
the words of their Chief Executive Kate Green remains “alive and well.”
“The Child Poverty Action Group was born 40 years ago out of concern and
outrage,” said Kate Green. “Though the current government has made good
progress, there remains much to do. Our manifesto, just months before an
expected General Election, is proposing ten reforms to eradicate child
poverty. Our challenge to all political parties is to make this a reality.”
One of the key ‘steps’ that CPAG is pushing for is for government
to ‘poverty proof policies’ across Whitehall.
“Poverty is a complex, multi faceted problem and so too are its solutions.
Many government policies have the potential to impact on child poverty
including education, housing, health and transport,” Kate Green said. “We
are calling for a poverty impact assessment to be made for every new
policy. Policies not working with the grain of fighting poverty must be
altered to ensure they do.”
Some of the ten steps proposed are longer-term such as that government must
work towards better jobs and not just more jobs. But the manifesto also
considers more immediate concerns.
“Reforming the administration of tax credits and benefits is fundamental,”
Kate Green said. “Non take up of tax credits and benefits and the often
unreasonable recovery of overpaid tax credits have actually created rather
than prevented hardship. Government must get the administration of tax
credits right to achieve its anti poverty targets.”
CPAG has a number of events planned for their 40th anniversary year and
will be sending a copy of their manifesto all Members of Parliament and
Ministers.
Today also sees the publishing of a charter, which maps out how the next
million children can be lifted out of poverty, by coalition group End Child
Poverty of which CPAG is a member.
“Over 40 household names have come together under the End Child Poverty
banner to develop ten policy proposals which, if implemented, would have a
huge impact on the lives of the 3.6 million children in the UK living in
poverty.” said ECP Director Jonathan Stearn.
ends
For further information or a copy of the manifesto contact;
Ashley Riley
Press Officer
Tel. 020 7812 5216
Mobile. 07811 324339
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CPAGs Ten steps to a society free of child poverty are
· All political parties to commit to eradicate child poverty.
· Poverty proof policies – make each consistent with eradicating
child poverty.
· Uprate the combined value of child tax credit and child benefit at
least in line with the fastest growing of prices or earnings. The
element of this that is child benefit ought to be maximised.
· Increase the adult payments within income support in line with
those for children.
· Reform the administration of tax credits and benefits – ensure
they get the right amount, to the right people at the right time.
· Ensure all children have full access to the requirements – meals,
uniforms and activities – of their education.
· Provide benefit entitlements to all UK residents equally,
irrespective of immigration status.
· Work towards better jobs, not just more jobs.
· Introduce free at the point of delivery, good quality universal
childcare.
· Reduce the disproportionate burden of taxation on poorer
families.
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