News story

Tackling the root causes of poverty and disadvantage

Local communities, voluntary groups and charities consulted on a new government strategy to combat poverty and disadvantage.

From:
Department for Education and Sarah Teather
Published
21 December 2010
This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

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鈥檚 Independent review on poverty and life chances and Graham Allen鈥檚 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鈥檚 Minister Sarah Teather said:

For too long a child鈥檚 birth has dictated their fate. It鈥檚 a scandal that in today鈥檚 society we still have 2.8 million children living in poverty in the UK - let down by a lack of opportunity and aspiration.

The best way to eradicate child poverty is to address the causes of poverty, rather than only treat the symptoms. Frank Field鈥檚 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.

That鈥檚 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 2-year-olds. And through the pupil premium schools will be able to support the poorest at every stage of their education.

A consultation on the Government鈥檚 approach to ending child poverty and improving life chances.

Frank Field鈥檚 independent report into poverty and life chances

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Published 21 December 2010