CHILD POVERTY: Experts propose poverty solutions
Tuesday, February 3, 2004
Leading think-tanks have suggested measures to tackle child poverty in a report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
The Social Market Foundation recommended a 1p increase in income tax or National Insurance to raise money for the child tax credit. It also called on the Government to focus on larger families because half of all children in poverty live in families with three or more youngsters.
The Institute for Public Policy Research asked for greater early years support for parents modelled on the Government's Sure Start programme and an extension of programmes like the Child Trust Fund.
Other suggestions included simplified and reduced means testing for benefits and a greater investment in pre-natal and early years health care, particularly for low-income families.
- www.jrf.org.uk.
