Newsletter Winter 2008

Charity No. 1099008

Child Poverty in the News_________ http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008

Child poverty under the Missed opportunity in /nov/25/pre-budget-report-tax-credits
microscope Pre Budget Report http://www.unicef.org.uk/press/news_det
New figures showed 174
(PBR) means time is ail.asp?news_id=1233

constituencies in Britain have 50 running out for http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/pre-

budget-
per cent or more children living in Government to keep its report/article.html?in_article_id=458327&
or on the brink of poverty. The promise. in_page_id=187
figures were released by End
Child Poverty just days before the Investment in the PBR for Child Poverty Bill in the
coalition was due to stage the families with children will provide Queen's speech.
Keep the Promise rally and some support for poor children in
received widescale coverage in the UK but much more will be While progress towards the
national and regional media. needed to reach the halfway target of 2010 is
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepa Government’s own 2010 target to regrettably slow, the Campaign to
ge/news/money/article1758146.ece halve child poverty. End Child Poverty commended
the Government for putting
The figures had Birmingham The Chancellor brought forward forward legislation to enshrine the
Ladywood topping the grim expected increases to child target of ending child poverty by
league table with 81 per cent - or benefit and the child element of 2020 in law. This focus has been
28,420 - of its children in child tax credit, and low income picked up by many news outlets
struggling families. And within families will also benefit from the read more at:
Ladywood one ward, Aston, has general measures of lowering http://www.cypnow.co.uk/news/ByDiscipli
87 per cent of its youngsters VAT and increases to personal ne/Education/867068/Children-young-
struggling to get by. The figures tax allowance. peoples-bills-announced-Queens-
show how many parts of the Speech
country need the Government to Director Hilary Fisher said: “The http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newsto
make the investment of £3bn in Chancellor had a real chance to pics/politics/3545813/Queens-speech-
Pledge-to-end-child-poverty-in-12-
the next budget, to hit the 2010 improve the lives of the 3.9 years.html
target. million children from low income
families living in poverty who are We know child poverty impacts
Campaign chairman Martin Narey struggling every day with the on every aspect of children's lives
said: “Pockets of our country are increase in prices on food and and costs us all. Hilary Fisher
in turmoil. These figures show us fuel but sadly he did not go far Director of the Campaign said “If
that there are millions more enough.” the Government is to keep its
children than originally thought promise to millions of children
being failed by the system.” "..The target is achievable, yet living in poverty it must ensure
this pre-budget report was a that this law is strong enough to
The figures are made up from missed opportunity and much will
child tax credit and those working have to be done in budget establish that ending the UK's
tax credit data and have been appallingly high level of child
2009… Time is running out.” poverty becomes a priority for
calculated by the Centre for Contact us to find out how
Economic and Social Inclusion. this and any future government.”
members and supporters of the
Campaign to End Child Poverty The Campaign will be
For more information about levels
will be ramping up pressure on coordinating a response to any
of child poverty in your area,
the government to keep its child consultation – so do contact us if
check out:
http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/why- poverty promise. you want to get involved.
end-child-poverty/poverty-in-your-area
1
Child Poverty in the news __________
Health of children in alongside prosperity lives
poverty.
poverty a timebomb
waiting to go off “There are 650,000 youngsters
living in appalling conditions –
Ill health is one of the worst this is unacceptable and we will
effects that poverty can have on strive to change it.”
a child’s life in the UK, with the http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/
risk of sudden infant death being 2008/10/17/109723/end-child-poverty-
ten times greater than children Launch of the 4 in 10: campaign-slam-poverty-levels-among-
london-kids.html
from better-off families, warned a The End Child Poverty
new report written by Professor
Nick Spencer and Donald Hirsch
London Project http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/t
opstories/3780494.WALTHAM_FOREST
for the Campaign to End Child The two-year project will tackle
__High_child_poverty_level_revealed
Poverty. specific challenges the capital http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/co
faces in ending child poverty, a ntent/towerhamlets/advertiser/news/story
The report reveals how children city where 4 in 10 children live on .aspx?brand=elaonline&category=news&
from disadvantaged families are less than £10 a day. tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=news
more likely to be born ela&itemid=WeED16%20Oct%202008%
2019%3A52%3A06%3A170
underweight and weigh, on It follows the release of shocking
average, 200g less than babies in figures by the campaign that Funded by The City Bridge Trust
the richest families. Equally showed 16 of London’s local and the City Parochial
disturbing, children living in authorities have 50 per cent or Foundation 4 in 10 highlight four
poorer families are also two and more children living in or on the key themes; child development,
a half times as likely to suffer brink of poverty. education and well-being,
chronic illness as toddlers. parental support, housing and
4 in 10 aims to: black and minority ethnic groups.
It highlights the impact of poverty
 raise awareness of the extent
on foetal development, early Focus will be on 10 inner London
of child poverty in London and
infancy, health throughout boroughs, where 1 in 2 children
increase and strengthen
childhood and into adult life, in live in poverty, during the first
campaigning on the issue
what is known as the ‘poverty year. They are Camden,
 identify successful child
health cycle’. Hackney, Islington, Kensington
poverty reduction schemes
and develop knowledge- and Chelsea, Lambeth,
Hilary Fisher, director for the Lewisham, Newham, Tower
sharing networks.
Campaign to End Child Poverty, Hamlets, Southwark and
said: Westminster.
London development officer Liz
“This evidence has profound
Thorne, who runs the scheme, For more information go to
implications for public policy. The
was reported in papers across www.4in10.org.uk.
facts prove that effective action to
London saying “4 in 10 is one-of-
end child poverty would make a
a-kind. There has never been a
vital long-term contribution to
project like it before and we hope
improving the health of our nation
to break down boundaries to
and prevent avoidable incidences
eradicating child poverty in
of physical and mental ill health.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/20
London.
08/aug/24/welfare.health
“London is the sixth richest city in
the world and is one of the most
expensive cities to live in, yet

2
ECP Campaign Activities__________
Keep the
Promise
Over 10,000 children, families
and supporters from across the
UK came together at the Keep
the Promise rally to show their
desire for an end to child
poverty. This phenomenal
turnout was only possible
because of members’ actions.
Member organisations spread
the word through their many
magazines, email networks and
newsletters to over one million
people in the UK; people who
have taken up the message
and have got involved.
Parents started to speak out to
their local media, one parent
informing us that “We are living
a life without hope.” So from all
over the country children and
families have sent in their own
postcards, signed balloon cards
and activities with Ministers
from devolved administrations
have taken place in NI and
Scotland, and local groups
have set up stalls at fairs and in
shopping centres collecting
signatures, all to add weight to
the petition to the Prime
Minister to make sure parents
and children do have hope of a
better future.
St Helen’s UKYP action in town centre
In parliament over 50 MPs have
also signed up to support Keep
the Promise. Asking
Government to make the
investment necessary to reach
the 2010 target, they each
posed for a picture and used
these in their local media.
Check here if your MP signed:
http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/news/pre
ss-releases/mps-back-end-to-child-poverty-
as-charity-calls-for-public-to-join-trafalgar-
square-event/24/104
These actions, along with a
great deal of the media
coverage mentioned on the
previous pages served to raise
awareness about the child
poverty target and also about
the rally that the Campaign
organised on October 4th in
Trafalgar Square.
The rally began with a march
led by children, and families,
accompanied by bands, into
Trafalgar Square. There was
activity in the square from 1pm
with films from young people
talking about their experiences
and the stage performances
followed, including Sophie Ellis
Bextor. Energetically hosted by
Chris Parker, spokespeople
from the coalition came
together to ask the Government
to Keep their Promise and
everyone contributed to a mass
moment of noise to ensure the
Government heard the strong
demand for a better future for
all our children.
There was also a non-
denominational family service
at St Margaret’s Church,
Westminster Abbey.
This, the biggest ever event to
end child poverty, helped to set
the parliamentary agenda at a
vital time for children in the UK.
John Battle MP hosted an
event in Parliament after the
rally which was attended by
Ministers and many MPs from
all parties to share the powerful
messages from the day.
On the morning of the
Keep the Promise rally, the
Campaign to End Child
Poverty met with Prime
Minister, Gordon Brown.
Campaign chairman Martin
Narey and director Hilary Fisher
were accompanied by trustees
Kate Green, Pauls Ennals and
Jasmine Whitbread. Hilary said:
“We asked Gordon Brown to
hear our plea and he listened.
He listened because of the
strength of feeling End Child
Poverty supporters have shown
him. ..Because of the massive
amount of support we had, our
message has been heard loud
and clear…Thank you to
everyone who backed Keep
The Promise.”
Speaking in 10 Downing Street
following the meeting, Mr
Brown said that the fight
against child poverty is one of
the “‘great causes of this
generation’. The PM said that
everyone campaigning for the
3
 cause believes that every child Watch the rally video clip at:
is special, precious and unique. www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/keept
hepromiseevent
“Every child deserves the
support of this generation,” he
said.

Many celebrities offered their support to the Keep the Promise rally, including actor and TV
presenter Chris Parker, who hosted the event and also Sophie Ellis Bextor who performed on October
4th at the biggest ever event to end child poverty! Read more quotes www.endchildpoverty.org.uk

Chris Parker “I was saddened and shocked when I heard that one in three
children in THIS country live in poverty, to put it into context we are the fifth
richest country in the world!!! We all need to send a clear message to the
Government that child poverty in the UK is simply unacceptable. Please,
please, please show your support…we are not asking for your money just
your voice!”

Sophie Ellis Bextor “ ..Every day children face the stigma of not being able
to have things that most of us take for granted, such as decent healthy meals,
family days out or a place to do their homework. What many people don’t
realise is that poverty isn’t about not having money for possessions such
as the latest trainers or mobile phone, it’s about being far below the normal
standard of living. It’s shameful to think that’s the legacy the country offers to
our future generations.”

Dr Tanya Byron
“Poverty is damaging our children, physically, emotionally and psychologically. Babies are being born
underweight, dying of chronic illness in infancy and going without food, shelter or basic clothing. This
shouldn’t be a normal part of life in the UK...”
Denise Van Outen “It is beyond comprehension that as a society we can sit back and watch as this
problem continues to grow. We can all do something about it...and send a clear message to the
Government to keep its promise to halve child poverty by 2010.”
Enzo Maccaranelli “..I believe that no child of our time should be living in sub-standard housing or
going hungry. It is high time that we took action and hold the Government to its promise to end child
poverty.”
Laverne Antrobus "It is a travesty that so many children in the UK are living in poverty today... It's
vital that everyone gets behind this Campaign and we put an end to this awful injustice."
Neil Fox
“As a Londoner.., I find it obscene that 650,000, that’s four in ten children, live in poverty in the city
that is the fifth richest in the world!.. I am supporting the Campaign to End Child Poverty to ensure
that the Government keeps its vital promise.”
Zoe Salmon
“..I am appalled by the number of children living in poverty in this country… Please help make a
difference by signing the online pledge at www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/promise ”

This is a vital year for children in poverty; without significant investment

any progress on child poverty is at risk. You can help make it happen.
Play your part in the Campaign to End Child Poverty by signing the virtual rally, joining with the tens
of thousands who marched through Westminster to Trafalgar square on October 4th to demand the
Prime Minister provides a better future for all our children. Get involved and send your message to
4
the Prime Minister now.
Together we can hold the Government to their promise.
http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/promise
ECP Member’s Comment
Family Fund raises age
limit and launches buying
club for disabled
children’s families, writes
Derek Walpole, Deputy
Chief Executive, Family
Fund
The UK-wide charity the Family
Fund, which gives grants to
families with severely disabled
children, is asking for
everyone’s help with spreading
the news about its latest
initiatives.
The Family Fund provides
£29m worth of grants to some
50,000 families with severely
disabled children and their
families a year. It can cost
three times as much to bring
up a disabled child and
disabled children’s families are
more likely to be poor.
Family Fund campaigners at the Keep
the Promise Rally, October 4th.
Helping older disabled
young people
Thanks to new money from the
four UK governments
(including £8.4m in England),
the Family Fund has extended
its age limit to help severely
disabled young people aged
under 18 in England and
Wales and those under 17 in
Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Previously, it could only afford
to help those under 16.
The Fund wants to give 16-
and 17-year-olds applying for
the first time the things that
make the most difference to
them. So while families can
apply for grants for the same
goods and services as in the
past, such as washing
machines, holidays and driving
lessons, they would welcome
other requests that have
particular meaning for this age
group.
Making disabled children’s
families’ money go further
The Fund has also launched a
new online buying club called
Family Fund extra.
Every family of the UK’s
770,000 disabled children, as
well as young disabled people
themselves, can join extra for
free and get discounts of up to
25 per cent on thousands of
products and services,
including electrical goods,
specialised equipment,
furniture, soft furnishings, retail
vouchers, clothing, holidays,
visitor attractions, driving
lessons, insurance and retail
vouchers.
Family Fund extra also enables
anyone, not just disabled
children’s families, to shop
online while doing good. By
going to
__________
www.familyfundextra.org.uk,
people can click through to
nearly a hundred leading
retailers, including Amazon,
Tesco, M&S, Boots, Comet,
Argos, HMV, John Lewis and
Toys R Us.
This doesn’t cost a penny more
than buying from the retailers’
websites directly but extra gets
commission on every
purchase. It gifts all profits to
the Family Fund to expand the
help given to families with
severely disabled children.
Meeting a growing need
The numbers and the unmet
needs of families with severely
disabled children continue to
grow and outstrip the Fund’s
income. The Fund’s trustees
thus took the decision two
years ago to create a buying
club for disabled children’s
families. extra builds on the
strong relationships the Fund
already has in place with
retailers.
The Fund is now trying to
ensure that every family with a
severely disabled child knows
about the increased age limit,
and that the families of all the
UK’s disabled children,
whatever the level of their
disability, know about Family
Fund extra.
For more information about
grants for severely disabled
16- and 17-year olds, please
call 01904 550038 or visit
5
www.familyfund.org.uk. For
more information about Family
Fund extra, please visit
www.familyfundextra.org.uk

Young Family Fund campaigner meets

Elma at the Keep the Promise Rally