Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UNICEF Report on Child Poverty

Monday 18 December 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • UNICEF report titled "Child Poverty in the Midst of Wealth" was discussed regarding its implications on policies.
  • The number of children in absolute poverty after housing costs remained stable between 2020-21 and 2021-22.
  • Government statistics show a reduction of 400,000 children in absolute poverty since 2009-10.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Alex Cunningham Lab
Children & Families
Context

UNICEF released a report titled “Child Poverty in the Midst of Wealth”, prompting an assessment on its potential implications for current policies.

Question

Whether he has made an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of UNICEF's report entitled “Child Poverty in the Midst of Wealth”.

Answer from Mims Davies

The overall number of children in absolute poverty after housing costs remained stable between 2020-21 and 2021-22. The latest statistics show that in 2021-22 there were 400,000 fewer children in absolute poverty, after housing costs, than in 2009-10. The Government continue to provide comprehensive support to help people find, progress in and thrive in work, recognising that this has to be sustainable in tackling poverty.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address the specific implications of UNICEF's report on current policies

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Q2 Alex Cunningham Lab
Children & Families
Context

The Prime Minister previously claimed that child poverty was down, but recent statistics show a considerable rise across every part of the north-east. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1 million British children have suffered destitution in the past year.

Question

When I asked the Prime Minister why 34% of children in Stockton North live in poverty and he claimed that child poverty was down, even if we rely on his and his Government's unique measuring tool, child poverty is still up considerably across every part of the north-east under his watch. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, 1 million British children have suffered destitution in the past year. When will the Prime Minister and his Ministers stop pretending that they care and make way for a Labour Government who will sort out the mess that shames the Tories?

Answer from Mims Davies

The Government are determined to ensure that all children, wherever they come from, have the best start in life. We are committed to supporting families and helping them into work. The full uprating, this year and last, is the signal.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address when the Prime Minister will acknowledge rising child poverty or step down

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