Government announces plans to tackle poverty

29/01/2009

The government promised yesterday to develop new laws to limit the number of children living in poverty.

It published the results of its consultation on the issue, with a Child Poverty Bill to come later this year.

If passed by parliament, the Bill will become an Act - and therefore part of UK law.

Previously, the government has pledged to end child poverty in the UK by 2020 and to reduce it to almost zero by 2010.

Commenting, the chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group, Kate Green, said: "This initiative makes clear that ending child poverty remains the long term national priority.

"There is no reason why so many more British children should continue to suffer from poverty and all its problems than children in other wealthy countries.

The government was criticised on the issue by Liberal Democrat shadow work and pensions secretary, Steve Webb.

"It is inexcusable that 3.9 million children are living in poverty in this country, the fifth largest economy in the world," he said.

"The tax system in Britain is grossly unfair and Labour ministers have failed to change it so that it helps struggling families."

Tags; Current UK Economy, Young Family Finances,

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