Our impact

Our recent successes

Abolition of the two-child limit

In November 2025, after we had campaigned for years alongside other poverty organisations to amplify our voices, the UK government announced that from April 2026 the two-child limit will be scrapped, immediately lifting 350,000 children out of poverty and meaning that 700,000 children are in less deep poverty.

‘The two-child limit has] severely inhibited the children's ability to experience a full life as [we’re] economically restricted. Shoes with holes, clothes too small. Hungry at times.

Parent in a family affected by the two-child limit.

Expansion of free school meals

We have also long campaigned for more children to get free school meals, and in England, school-age children in families receiving universal credit can now get a free school meal as part of the school day.

Who can get free school meals varies a lot across the UK. In Wales, all children in primary school get a meal, as do all children in P1 to P5 (aged 4 to 9) in Scotland and all children in infant school in England (aged 4 to 7). Other ages, and all children in Northern Ireland, can only get free school meals if they meet certain criteria. 

Child poverty strategy

The UK government published a child poverty strategy in December 2025. We were involved in the engagement work which informed the strategy, and Changing Realities also had a role in ensuring those developing the strategy were listening to those with lived experience of poverty. There is more to do, but the strategy is a good starting point.  

Our involvement in this strategy has strengthened our belief that lasting solutions come when policies are shaped with people, not just for them. We are proud to have contributed and we remain hopeful that through sharing our experiences, we will help create a better future for all children.

Extract from the foreword to the child poverty strategy written by four Changing Realities parents

Covid Inquiry

CPAG was a core participant in modules 8 and 9 of the Covid Inquiry, which looked at the treatment of children in the pandemic and the government’s economic response. In our submissions, we drew attention to the consequences of the poor level of support offered to families through the social security system.

Children’s rights must never again be an afterthought in a national crisis. Their protection should be written into law, and families better supported in non-crisis times, and there must be a clear plan to keep children safe, supported and learning in any future emergency.

From our joint statement from the Covid Inquiry Core Participants the Children’s Rights Organisations following Sir Gavin Williamson’s oral evidence to the Covid Inquiry. Thank you to Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP and Norton Rose Fulbright LLP which provided pro bono legal services to enable our participation in the inquiry.

Our work

Find out more about our work

CPAG are an invaluable source of support and have helped to secure very good outcomes for difficult cases in the last 12 months. A wise and kind friend to me.

One of the 9,000 advisers we help every year through our advice service.

Positive changes for children and families in 2024/25

• A new child poverty taskforce announced a UK-wide child poverty strategy.
• Free school meals extended to all families getting universal credit in England from September 2026.
• Maintained sector nurseries are being expanded in England.
• A fairer level of deductions will allow households claiming universal credit to pay back debts at a lower rate (15% instead of 25%).
• The UK government has made further investment in the household support fund and discretionary housing payments.
• More people will benefit from carer’s allowance after a change to the earnings threshold.
• The UK government is investing in employment support.

Read our full Impact Report 2024/25 and our Annual Report and Accounts 2024/25.

Find out about our impact in previous years

Be a part of our work

We can't do all this alone. We rely on funding from trusts and organisations, and on donations from individuals to support our work. If you'd like to help us to end child poverty for good, find out about partnering with us if you're a grant funder, or donating or fundraising for us.