Children's charities criticise focus of government spending plans
Neil Puffett
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Children's charities have criticised the government for failing to prioritise the needs of children in the Chancellor's Autumn Statement.
Besides tax breaks for firms employing apprentices under the age of 25 and an extension of the Childcare Business Grant scheme, which offers grants to new childminders, very few measures announced by George Osborne directly benefited children and young people.
In fact, campaigners said Osborne’s decision to freeze Universal Credit work allowances will make life more difficult for already struggling families.
Alison Garnham, chief executive of Child Poverty Action Group, said the move will harm work incentives and hit low-paid families hard. “Two-thirds of poor children live in working families; we should be redistributing help towards them, not away from them,” she said.
Lily Caprani, director of strategy and policy at The Children’s Society, said the government had choices about where to invest and where to cut, but failed to support the most disadvantaged children.
“Universal Credit work allowances are vital for making sure that work pays for struggling families across the country,” she said.
“The majority of children in poverty are living in low-income working families. The freeze announced today will make it harder for parents and force them to make impossible choices about giving their children the basics.”
Anna Feuchtwang, chief executive at the National Children’s Bureau, said that despite an apparently buoyant economy, the Autumn Statement indicates there will be “hard times ahead for many children and families” with public spending set to be cut further to reduce the deficit.
“We know that austerity measures are hitting vulnerable children and their families hardest, and that child poverty is forecast to rise in this country,” she said.
“Yet despite this, the Chancellor has done little to make vulnerable children and young people a priority.
"Additional spending on the NHS and measures to improve child mental health by targeting £150m on tackling eating disorders are welcome.
"But the freezing of work allowances alongside existing caps on benefits mean that life will continue to be difficult for children from struggling families."
Anne Longfield, chief executive of 4Children, said the statement failed to give working families on low incomes the help they need to deal with cost of living pressures.
“It is welcome that the Chancellor has extended the Childcare Business Grant scheme to 2016 to support more childcare places and childminders,” she said.
“However, families will be disappointed that he didn't go further to provide the help with childcare costs families need.”