Ministers start work on taskforce aimed at tackling child poverty

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Andrew Feinberg

White House Correspondent

Ministers have met for the first time to kick off the Government’s work to tackle child poverty.

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, as well as taskforce co-chairs Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, were among those gathered for the first Child Poverty Taskforce meeting on Wednesday.

Ms Kendall described child poverty as “a scar on our society” in a statement following the meeting.

“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,” she added.

The minister added: “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.”

The taskforce will aim to take both short-term and long-term steps to reduce child poverty, including looking at benefit reforms to support people on low incomes, helping to bring down living costs, and more support for those in poverty through public services.

It will also hear directly from struggling families and children, front-line staff and campaigners, charities and organisations across the UK to shape the strategy.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP said: “The scale of the challenge cannot be overstated.

“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.”

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.