The Government today unveiled its plan to track progress on lifting 550,000 children out of poverty over the next decade, against the backdrop of rising child poverty rates. A new report, published on 9 July, sets out the Child Poverty Strategy's framework for monitoring and evaluating impact, establishing a baseline position for 2024/25.
Key measures implemented so far include scrapping the two-child limit for benefit claimants and expanding free school meals, which will be fully rolled out by September 2026. These efforts are expected to contribute significantly to lifting children out of poverty, alongside the £1 billion Crisis and Resilience Fund. Progress will be measured using relative low income after housing costs and deep material poverty metrics.
A comprehensive research programme has been outlined, including a four-year study involving parents and carers experiencing or near poverty. This will examine changes in family circumstances, incomes, and support systems. Lived experience research, cross-government policy evaluations, and contextual indicators will also be used to understand the causes of child poverty.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson have underscored the Government's commitment to tackling child poverty, highlighting the impact of early actions such as scrapping the two-child limit and the Crisis and Resilience Fund. The strategy places significant emphasis on local engagement, with plans to strengthen anti-poverty initiatives in areas across England.
An Interministerial Group will provide cross-government support, facilitating collaboration between devolved governments, regional and local partners, civil society, businesses, faith groups, and individuals with direct experience of poverty. The publication follows yesterday's release of statistics detailing the number of people affected by the two-child limit.