Child Poverty

Luke Akehurst, the Labour MP for North Durham, asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Liz Kendall, what assessment she has made of trends in the level of child poverty in the last 10 years. In her response, Liz Kendall acknowledged that the last Labour government lifted 600,000 children out of poverty, but under the Conservatives, the number went up by 700,000. She stated that there are now more than 4 million children living in poverty in the UK, which she described as a "complete disgrace" in one of the richest countries in the world. Kendall highlighted the urgent and important work of the child poverty taskforce, which she co-chairs with the Education Secretary. Luke Akehurst followed up by noting that almost a third of children in the north-east live in poverty, and the problem is particularly acute in the region. He asked the Secretary of State to work with the Mayor of the North East, Kim McGuinness, on her excellent regional plans to reduce child poverty. Liz Kendall responded positively, stating that she has already met with Kim McGuinness on 19 September, when the Mayor set out the actions she is already taking. Kendall assured the House that the government's strategy will be out in the spring, but they will not be waiting until then to act. She mentioned that the government has put £421 million into the household support fund to help the poorest families, and that mayors like Kim McGuinness are doing amazing work, such as working with schools to ensure people claim the benefits they are entitled to, and working with businesses to help tackle in-work poverty and ensure working families receive the money for their children.