Strategy lifts over one thousand children out of poverty across Penistone and Stocksbridge

Marie Tidball MP, Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge has welcomed the Government’s announcement of their historic Child Poverty Strategy, which will lift 550,000 children out of poverty across the country. This historic Strategy will deliver the largest reduction in child poverty, in one Parliament, since records began.

The Strategy includes landmark measures including scrapping the evil two-child cap, which will alone lift 1,140 children out of poverty across the Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency. This cap was introduced by the previous Conservative Government and has pushed an estimated 300,000 children into poverty.

Research has found that children growing up in poverty do less well in school, are more likely to be unemployed when older and earn less throughout their lifetimes. Tackling child poverty is not just a moral imperative - it is an investment in our country’s future.

The strategy aims to tackle the scourge of child poverty at its roots, by getting all public services to row together to tackle the structural causes of child poverty.

This includes cutting the cost of essentials, like reducing the cost of baby formula, with our free breakfast clubs like the one at High Green Primary School, 30 hours government funded childcare, and expanding free school meal eligibility. The latter means 2,700 more children across our communities will receive free school meals.

From next year, the rules will change to make it easier for new parents who receive Universal Credit to get back to work by extending eligibility for upfront childcare costs to those returning from parental leave. This will prevent new parents from facing a debt trap, meaning more parents can get back to work and get on in work faster.

The Strategy also strengthens local services, with investment in family hubs and nursery places, like in Royd Nursery School. As part of this, Marie Tidball MP is campaigning to bring a Family Hub to Chapeltown to serve families across Chapeltown, Burncross and Ecclesfield.

Children living in temporary accommodation are living in one of the deepest forms of poverty, this has a devastating impact, particularly on children. The strategy will also end the unlawful placement of families in Bed and Breakfasts beyond the six-week limit.

Following the announcement, during a debate on the Strategy in Parliament, Marie Tidball MP raised that “over 23% of children in my Penistone and Stocksbridge constituency are living in poverty. This is unacceptable. We know that children growing up in poverty are less likely to be in work and will earn 25% less than their peers by the time they are 30.”

She followed by highlighting that “scrapping the evil two-child benefit cap will benefit 1,140 children in my constituency...this is an investment in their future.

Marie asked the Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, “given that it is the moral mission of this Government to break the devastating cycle of child poverty, will the Secretary of State work with me to look at opportunities for a family hub in Chapeltown in my constituency that will also serve Burncross and Ecclesfield?”

Following the announcement, Marie Tidball MP said:

“Our children deserve the best start in life, nothing less will do.

“900,000 children were pushed into poverty by the Conservatives – that is unforgivable. I’ve seen the devastating impact that years of deepening child poverty has had on families across our communities.

It’s one of the proudest moments so far as your MP is to say that these changes will lift 1,140 children out of poverty across Penistone and Stocksbridge.

It’s the moral mission of this government to break the devastating cycle of child poverty. Investing in our children is an investment in our community and our country. This Strategy delivers on our promise to give every child the best start in life, so that every child and young person can fulfil their potential.”

Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said:

“Child poverty is a stain on our country. I’ve seen the damage poverty does first hand, and bearing down on it sits at the very core of this government’s mission.

This strategy, lifting over half a million children out of poverty, represents an historic moment for generations of families now and into the future.

And whether it’s expanding free school meals, rolling out free breakfast clubs, or revitalising family services, we are determined to give every child the very best start in life.”

Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden said:

"Tackling child poverty is an investment in working families and our country’s future.

There is a direct link between children in poverty growing up to be adults not in work, education or training – we cannot afford to waste a generation’s potential and talents.

Our strategy will deliver support where families need it most, giving every child a good start in life and giving them the opportunity to succeed."