9 d. ago Scottish Child Payment 'must be raised to £40 a week to help tackle poverty'

The Action for Children charity called for the Scottish Child Payment to be increased to £40 per week.

Economics

2 w. ago Four major pledges in Keir Starmer's plan to tackle child poverty

Keir Starmer has said Labour's 'moral mission' is to fight child poverty as he launched a blueprint to lift over half a million kids out of poverty by the end of the decade

Politics

2 w. ago Labour announces plans to lift 550,000 children out of poverty – UK politics live

Starmer hails child poverty strategy as a ‘moral mission’ which will include measures to help with childcare and getting families out of temporary housingThere’s a lot of reaction coming in on the plan – some believe the new elements aren’t ambitious enough and it’s just a consolidation of previously announced measures. But here is the full strategy from Keir Starmer’s government, 16 months in, to tackle and reduce the rate of child poverty in the UK.There are around 4.5 million children living in poverty in the UK currently – a historic high. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Give credit where it’s due: Labour is finally doing things its supporters actually want | Gaby Hinsliff

From tackling child poverty to being honest about Brexit, the party seems to have recognised the growing electoral threat to its leftWhat does it take for a small child not to recognise their own name? I’ve been thinking about that for days, since reading the Local Government Association’s recent report on a growing crisis in early childhood. We’ve known for a while about children starting school still in nappies, or speaking in Americanisms absorbed from hours stuck in front of YouTube, or even struggling to sit upright because they’ve spent too long slumped over an iPad to develop core muscles. So sadly, it’s not surprising to read of early-years workers telling the LGA they see more and more pre-schoolers who can barely speak, play with others or contain their rage when things don’t go their way. But it was the practitioner who noted that some children “don’t seem to respond to their name” who got to me. You have to wonder how often that child hears a loving adult trying to get t...

Politics

2 w. ago Voters back helping families with policies like scrapping two

The Save the Children and Unicef polling showed across a variety of issues, failing to tackle child poverty was the most likely to damage Labour’s re-election prospects

Politics

2 w. ago There are those on the left and right who offer only grievance: Labour is getting on with the job of economic renewal | Keir Starmer

Judge last week’s budget in the light of our bold plans to sweep away red tape, tackle inactivity among young people and pursue a closer trading relationship with the EUKeir Starmer is the prime minister of the United KingdomReport: Labour’s economic plan will take years to deliver, Starmer saysAt the budget last week, we made the right choices for Britain, cutting the cost of energy with £150 off bills, protecting the NHS and tackling the scourge of child poverty by removing the two-child limit. We also ensured that the revenue we raised through taxes was done fairly, with everyone contributing but those with the broadest shoulders contributing their fair share. As a result of the choices we made, the budget created a more stable economic environment, driving down inflation and government bond yields. This is vital for protecting our public services, when £1 in every £10 spent by government goes on debt interest.The budget builds on the action we have already taken to improve the e...

Economics

3 w. ago Mum, 31, to see benefits increase to £2,770 a month after Rachel Reeves scraps major policy

Lisa White estimates her family's benefits will rise from £1,900 to £2,770 a month after Rachel Reeves' Budget announcement

Economics

3 w. ago By ending a cruel Tory social experiment, this budget clearly set out how Labour will fight the battle to renew Britain | Lucy Powell

The two-child benefit cap was a totem of 14 years of failed ideology. Now it is goneLucy Powell is deputy leader of the Labour partyYesterday the chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered a Labour budget. People have been asking for Labour’s purpose and values to be more clearly expressed. Through the choices made – a shift to a fairer tax system, targeting wealth to pay for tackling child poverty, good public services and the cost of living – we have clearly set out what we stand for.That’s why Labour MPs cheered in the Commons, and it’s why we are up for the fights to come. And it’s why the cries from the right began immediately.Lucy Powell is MP for Manchester Central and deputy leader of the Labour partyDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Rachel Reeves blasted for failing to scrap tax loophole that benefits Chinese 'fast fashion' firms until 2029

In her Budget on Wednesday, the Chancellor said she would 'support a level playing field in retail' by removing customs duty relief for low value imports.

Economics

3 w. ago 'Children should not suffer': Readers respond to Rachel Reeves scrapping two

Some have supported Rachel Reeves' change to the two-child benefit cap, while others claim it is "financial irresponsibility"

Politics

3 w. ago Martin Lewis gives Budget verdict and how new changes will impact your money

Rachel Reeves has announced the changes to this year's Budget, including scrapping the two-child benefit cap.

Economics

3 w. ago FM pledges more cash for tackling poverty after Reeves scraps two

First Minister John Swinney said money freed up by the Chancellor’s announcement would be used to help in the fight against child poverty.

Politics

3 w. ago John Swinney urged to use extra Budget cash on reducing child poverty levels in Scotland

Campaigners have called on the First Minister to “come good” on previous commitments to use the money earmarked for mitigating the two-child cap on tackling child poverty.

Economics

3 w. ago Campaigners and Labour MPs hail Rachel Reeves’ decision to scrap two

Ditching the policy will result in an estimated reduction of child poverty by 450,000.

Politics

3 w. ago Budget 2025 live: Rachel Reeves announces £26bn tax rises and scraps two

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch brands package of measures ‘a smorgasbord of misery’ and urges chancellor to resign

Economics

3 w. ago ‘A grotesque indignity to women’: Rachel Reeves scraps dehumanising rape clause

Rachel Reeves hit out at the “grotesque” rape clause tied to the two-child cap policy during her Budget speech.

Events

3 w. ago Green levies on energy bills scrapped in the Budget but Rachel Reeves opts against cutting VAT

Households could save up to £150 on their energy bills over the course of the year, under plans announced by the Chancellor in the Autumn Budget .

Economics

3 w. ago Autumn Budget 2025: Is Rachel Reeves really going to scrap stamp duty this week?

Property experts agree tax changes are needed to unblock the stagnant housing market, yet London’s high prices and dearth of affordable new homes are also significant barriers to buying

Politics

4 w. ago Autumn Budget 2025: Is Rachel Reeves really going to scrap stamp duty next week?

Property experts agree tax changes are needed to unblock the stagnant housing market, yet London’s high prices and dearth of affordable new homes are also significant barriers to buying

Politics