http://www.education.gov.uk/a0071184/government-sets-out-new-vision-for-ending-child-poverty Government sets out new vision for ending child poverty Government sets out new vision for ending child poverty Government asks local communities, voluntary groups and charities for their views on a new strategy to tackle the root causes of poverty and disadvantage. <![CDATA[ The Government is today asking local communities, voluntary groups and charities for their views on a new strategy to tackle the root causes of poverty and disadvantage. A consultation published today sets out a new approach to tackling poverty, building on Frank Field’s Independent review on poverty and life chances and Graham Allen’s work on Early Intervention. The Government is clear that tackling child poverty requires more than simply treating the short-term symptoms of poverty or moving families across an arbitrary income line. Making real progress requires a new focus on promoting fairness, opportunity and social mobility – to help address ingrained patterns of worklessness, family breakdown and educational under-achievement.  Launching the new strategy consultation, Children’s Minister Sarah Teather said: <blockquote> For too long a child’s birth has dictated their fate. It’s a scandal that in today’s society we still have 2.8million children living in poverty in the UK – let down by a lack of opportunity and aspiration. </blockquote> <blockquote> The best way to eradicate child poverty is to address the causes of poverty, rather than only treat the symptoms. Frank Field's independent report on poverty and life chances, published earlier this month, is a welcome reminder of how important early years childcare and education is to setting a child on the road to success and out of poverty. </blockquote> <blockquote> That’s why we are reforming Sure Start services to target the most needy and are extending the offer of 15 hours of free childcare a week to all disadvantaged two year olds. And through the pupil premium schools will be able to support the poorest at every stage of their education. </blockquote> In addition to the work being undertaken to develop a child poverty strategy, the Government has already put in place immediate measures to reduce poverty and improve life chances. These include: <ul> <li> Improving employment prospects by introducing a new integrated Work Programme for the long-term unemployed and other at-risk groups - drawing on the capability of the public, private and voluntary sectors and incorporating payment by result.</li> <li> Tough steps to reduce the deficit and promote a strong economy and job creation in the Emergency Budget and Spending Review, with above-inflation increases to Child Tax Credit to ensure increases seen in child poverty are stopped.</li> <li> Re-focussing Sure Start on supporting the most vulnerable families, including continuing outreach efforts to identify and engage these families.</li> <li> Through the new pupil premium, empowering schools to do what they know will work for their pupils and narrow attainment gaps.</li> <li> A national campaign to help turn around the lives of families with multiple problems which will be locally designed and delivered. The campaign will be underpinned by the first phase of Community Budgets, which will enable a more flexible, integrated and cost-effective approach by organising public spending by place rather than by individual organisations or service.</li> <li> Handing back power to local communities, providing them with the powers, tools and information to determine and address local priorities and drive regeneration and growth. Removing targets, de-ringfencing funding streams, and giving local authorities control over planning decisions will enable them to use resources in the ways that best meet the needs and priorities of local people.</li> </ul> Minister for Disabled People, Maria Miller, said: <blockquote> Over the last decade, billions of pounds have been spent on cash transfers in an attempt to push families from just below the poverty line to just above it. The result is 5 million people trapped in welfare dependency, a benefits system which actually disincentivises work, and a complete failure to address the reasons behind so many children growing up in poverty. </blockquote> <blockquote> Where the previous administration were content to fiddle at the edges of this regressive system, we have already begun the most comprehensive and radical reform to the welfare system since its inception. Through Universal Credit we will ensure that work always pays and break the cycle of benefit dependency, and through the Work Programme we will ensure that people receive personalised support that not only moves them into work, but helps keep them there. This will play a vital role in tackling poverty for the long-term. </blockquote> As part of the consultation, the Government will be reviewing plans for the creation of a Child Poverty Commission, with a view to broadening its remit to include life chances and to reflect the recommendations of Frank Field.  <h1> Notes to editors</h1> The Government will publish its first child poverty strategy in spring 2011. <ol> <li> The strategy is a requirement of the Child Poverty Act. It will outline the steps the Government plans to take over the next four years to end child poverty by 2020. The strategy consultation document ‘Tackling child poverty and improving life chances: consulting on a new approach’ is open for comment until 15 February 2011. It is available on the Department for Education’s consultation website.</li> <li> Frank Field delivered his independent report into poverty and life chances on Friday 3 December. The Government welcomes his report and will be considering its recommendations, alongside Graham Allen’s report on Early Intervention, as part of the ongoing work on the child poverty strategy.</li> </ol> ]]> false Media Researcher English 2012-04-26T15:20:57