CPAG's response to the announcement on the new Prime Minister

Responding to the announcement on the new Prime Minister today, Chief Executive of Child Poverty Action Group Alison Garnham said:

"As the new prime minister takes the reins almost four million kids are living in poverty – it’s a national disgrace. Families have had months of dread watching prices soar while government has delayed and delayed any response, pushing many ever closer to the brink.

The new prime minister has the opportunity to demonstrate that she stands with hard-pressed families and will act in the interests of the nation’s children, who have been invisible for far too long. Long term investment in a social security system that protects kids from poverty is an essential starting point.

We must be honest that quick fixes won’t match the scale of the challenge, although clearly families will need support fast to make it through the winter. As a first step, benefits must urgently and permanently increase to match inflation, and the benefit cap -  which traps children in deep poverty - must be abolished."

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Media contact: Jane Ahrends 07816 909302.