Households with children are at a higher risk of poverty than other households. Large families and single parents are at the highest risk of fuel poverty.
The Bill includes practical and tangible policy reforms which will reduce the cost of the school day for all families but make the biggest difference to the 4.3 million children that are currently growing up in poverty.
Since water was privatised in 1989, household water bills have risen faster than the rate of inflation. On 19 December OFWAT announced an average increase in charges of 36 per cent above inflation over the next five years, with considerable variations between companies ranging from a 53 per cent increase for Southern Water customers to 21 per cent for customers of Northumbrian Water and Wessex Water. Across England and Wales, water bills will rise by an average of £123 a year from April.
I had an interesting meeting I wanted to tell you about. I had the opportunity to meet with the Minister for Employment and the Secretary of State for Education at 10 Downing Street.
Earlier this month, the government announced it would review carer’s allowance after a scandal that saw thousands penalised if they earned even a penny over the £151 per week earning threshold. People were forced to repay hundreds or thousands of pounds. Christmas bonuses, an unexpected pay rise or a few extra hours worked in a month can be all it takes to derail this fragile benefit. But there’s another problem with carer’s allowance.
To mark the day of his funeral, we're publishing our tribute to Frank, who was a true champion for children and low‐income families. He was a rare and admirable ‘one off’. He will be greatly missed.
Parents need support to provide for their children with security and without constant worry. Imagine the UK without any child poverty – a country with all children well fed and housed, feeling secure, and growing up healthy and confident.
