Source · Select Committees · Education Committee
Recommendation 11
11
Acknowledged
Social security reforms risk increasing child poverty; delayed strategy hinders scrutiny.
Conclusion
We are deeply concerned about the Government’s planned reforms to social security set out in the Green Paper Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working, which are set to drive up child poverty and will further increase pressure on the care system. We are also concerned that delaying the publication of the Child Poverty Strategy until the autumn of 2025 will prevent parliamentary scrutiny of the Government’s welfare reforms in tandem with proposed child poverty reduction measures with an understanding of the impact of both sets of proposals in the round. (Conclusion, Paragraph 27)
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the concern about child poverty, confirms its Child Poverty Strategy will be published in the autumn, and explains the rationale and consultation process for the Pathways to Work proposals, stating no decisions have been made yet.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Tackling child poverty is central to this Government’s mission to break down barriers to opportunity. We share the Committee’s ambition and are committed to bold, wide- ranging action through our upcoming Child Poverty Strategy, currently being developed by the Child Poverty Taskforce, as co-chaired by the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Secretary of State for Education. This strategy, to be published in the autumn, will address the structural and root causes of child poverty. To address this, the Government is consulting on proposals in the Pathways to Work White Paper, including raising the age at which young people can access the Universal Credit Health Element to 22. This change aims to remove any disincentive to work or study during this period. The savings would be reinvested into the Youth Guarantee, enhancing opportunities for learning, training, and employment. However, no decisions have been made yet, and the Government will consider consultation feedback before implementing any changes.