On 10 June the Department of Work and Pensions published data showing that last year 100,000 more children and 200,000 more pensioners slipped into poverty. Nearly three million – 22 per cent – of children in the UK, the fourth richest economy in the world are growing up in poverty.
Of all Labour’s pledges the commitment to abolishing child poverty is the one with the greatest potential to transform society. Although this week’s numbers make the realisation of the 2010 target to halve poverty and the 2020 target to eradicate it much harder, the cherished goal has not slipped from our grasp. Policies already in place are a good start – the 2008 budget increased spending on tax credits by £1bn a year, with the potential to lift another million children out of poverty. Yet this alone though won’t realise our ambitions.
Abolishing child poverty cuts across all government departments and is economic as well as moral in its conception – the embodiment of New Labour’s joint commitments to social justice and economic prosperity. Most importantly, it has the potential to end the cruel cycle of underachievement, low aspiration and ultimately poverty, which blight individuals, families and communities.
It is our agenda on child poverty that sets us apart from our political opponents, and is a cause that can unite the coalition we need to win a fourth term. As Martin Narey of Bernando’s said in the Guardian, ‘the Tories’ aspiration to end child poverty seems to owe more to clever drafting than determination.’ And, on publication of the 2006/7 figures, he pointed out in the Mirror that although ‘the announcement is disappointing, the government is still more than half way toward the astonishing and moving target of halving by 2010 the number of children in poverty which they inherited from the Conservatives.’
Abolishing child poverty and extending opportunity can be the basis of our next manifesto – but only if we can do three things. First, we must show that Labour has made inroads in tackling child poverty; second, we must demonstrate that there remains more that can be done to sustainably reduce poverty; and third, we must position Labour’s commitment as distinct from that of the Tories.
Research by the Fabian Society suggests that the majority of the public do not readily acknowledge the existence of poverty in the UK, blame parents and their lifestyles if they do acknowledge a problem, and do not think that ‘throwing money’ at families is the way to tackle the issue. The facts do not bear witness to these perceptions:
• 22 per cent of children in the UK are growing up in families with average earnings of less than 60 per cent of median income (the definition of poverty);
• Children in poverty go without holidays, warm winter coats and birthday parties – things that middle class children, rightly, take for granted;
• The rate of growth of spending on children is rising faster in low income families than in middle and high income families – evidence that tax credits are going to where they are intended – to children; and
• Through government policy – tax credits, minimum wage, sure start and more, the government has successfully reduced child poverty by around 15 per cent (600,000) between 1998 and 2007.
These are the facts, but here’s another. The Times, Sun and Telegraph did not cover the child poverty statistics the day after they were published. Only the Guardian made it front page or editorial news. Getting the existence of child poverty on the public consciousness will be an uphill struggle – but needs to be done if the campaign to abolish child poverty is to be won.
While the Fabian research suggests that Middle England is largely ignorant about the reality of poverty, children at West Leeds High School, in the heart of my own constituency, do not doubt its existence. Indeed, for many children in west Leeds, child poverty is not an abstract construct, but a day-to-day reality.
Still, among sixth-formers at the school there is a scepticism about the efficacy of channeling money to low-income families. Instead, the consensus was for practical policies – free school uniforms, after school clubs, longer library opening hours, classes in English, literacy, numeracy and IT for parents who want to get back to work or get better jobs, more affordable childcare, and increased flexibility among employees to allow parents to juggle work and family life. Money will help, but to leave a lasting legacy we need infrastructure too.
These practical solutions for eradicating child poverty have broad appeal. They will bring about a sustainable reduction in child poverty – raising skill levels among low income groups and giving children a chance to flourish even when incomes and aspirations at home are low. But in addition, such policies will benefit a wider coalition of voters. Libraries, after-school clubs and flexible working are by no means the preserve of the poor. The policies of West Leeds High School are the basis of our next manifesto to address the hopes, aspirations and fears of British families.
The Tories don’t have a story – for them abolishing poverty is an ‘aspiration’ not a moral imperative. In tough times it is more important than ever to be idealistic. Forging ahead with our commitment will show that Labour are truly on the side of families and particulary the poor. By making the moral case for eradicating child poverty we offer a compelling Labour vision of the future.
By offering a package of practical policies we can build a consensus for giving every child and every family the support they need to aim high and realise their potential. This is a radical, idealist but practical agenda to make true Labour’s commitment to abolish child poverty. It is a distinct political message, and one that can unite our progressive coalition.
Rachel Reeves is Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Leeds West