North East child poverty campaigners have joined the region’s business leaders in welcoming the government Spending Review announced by Chancellor Rachel Reeves. It means there is now a broad spectrum of regional support for the spending plans
Beth Farhat – Chair of the North East Child Poverty Commission – said: “We welcome…confirmation of funding for the expansion of free school meals, which will make a massive difference to tens of thousands of families across the North East.
“Increased investment in the facilities that young people and their families use is also much-needed in our region, as is the long-term settlement for locally-delivered crisis support. This will ensure our councils and voluntary and community sector organisations can deliver this type of support as effectively as possible.
“However, the government must also address the reasons why so many families – both in and out of work – have to turn to crisis support in the first place. Far too many simply do not have enough money for the essentials because our national safety net is broken and requires urgent investment.
“All eyes are now on the long-awaited national child poverty strategy, which as a priority must scrap the two-child limit that is driving high poverty rates for North East children.
“The government must also urgently rethink proposed cuts to support for sick and disabled people. These will disproportionately impact families in our region – and will only result in what is welcome new investment in local crisis support being overwhelmed by even more people facing hunger and severe hardship.”
*This report is based on a press release from the North East Child Poverty Commission
