Britain launches 500 million pound fund for vulnerable children
The Better Futures Fund aims to provide support for struggling families and give children access to better education and a safe home over the next 10 years, the government said.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his finance minister Rachel Reeves are under pressure from their own Labour Party lawmakers to provide more support for low-income families.
Earlier this month, Starmer was forced to gut key parts of his welfare reform plan in order to pass legislation through parliament.
"This fund will give hundreds of thousands of children, young people and their families a better chance," Reeves said in a statement.
"Our 'Plan for Change' will break down barriers to opportunity and give them the best start in life."
The finance ministry said it planned to raise another 500 million pounds from local government, social investors and philanthropists.
Mel Stride, finance spokesman for the opposition Conservative Party, said he welcomed the new funding but said Labour's economic policies had hurt struggling families.
The government is also considering whether to abolish a two-child limit on welfare payments to parents as it reassesses several unpopular policies to reverse a slide in its poll ratings.
($1 = 0.7408 pounds)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
BBC News
a minute ago
- BBC News
Eysnham park and ride to stand empty as temporary use rejected
A mothballed £32m park and ride - currently due to open in 2027 - will stand empty until then after other proposed uses were turned down by a 850-space Eynsham site was completed in 2024 but a planning application to connect it to the nearby A40 was only submitted in July because of cost County Council said the park and ride was finished on time and on budget because of a ring-fenced grant but "cost pressures caused by high inflation" temporarily halted the rest of the A40 improvements uses for the site suggested by residents and businesses, including cycle training, a bus depot and autonomous vehicle training, were rejected by the authority. The authority said "constraints" and other costs associated with the potential uses "limited the use of the park and ride to its original intended use".In a statement on its website, the council said it "investigated a variety of interim uses for the site in advance of it becoming fully operational". In response to a freedom of information request, the authority said it was also approached with proposals to use the site for parkruns or recreational an Oxfordshire County Council task and finish group concluded that mothballing to "protect the site from damage and degradation" was preferable. A spokesperson said: "There was no comfort that value generated by interim uses would cover the council's costs in staff, resources or capital modifications necessary to commercially leverage the site." Costs of potentially getting planning permission and insurance, along with problems accessing the site, also hindered using it for other purposes, the council added. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
a minute ago
- BBC News
List of key Jersey 2026 and 2027 election dates published
A list of key election dates for 2026 and half of 2027 in Jersey has been published by the Privileges and Procedures Committee (PPC). Officials said it was hoped releasing the list now would help prospective candidates with forward planning further into the 20 April 2026, the electoral candidate nomination period begins, with it closing just two days later at 17:00 BST. Then, on 7 June, is the public election of all 49 States members, with the first meeting of the newly-elected States Assembly and the election of a chief minister designate due on 19 June. campaign manager Emily Thomas said: "Throughout the Plan To Stand campaign, has provided prospective candidates support and encouragement to mobilise early and prepare for a fair and competitive election in 2026. "Having advance notice of the key dates associated with the 2026 election is a huge help for people who are already making plans for their election campaign."
The Sun
a minute ago
- The Sun
One of UK's biggest mobile networks is shutting service TOMORROW leaving some Brits with NO internet
Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor Published: Invalid Date, A MAJOR network provider with millions of customers continues a massive service switch off in just hours. Those affected won't be able to use the internet when they're out and about unless they upgrade their phone. 1 O2 has been pressing on with plans to shut down its old 3G network technology. The other main networks - EE, Vodafone and Three - have already got rid of theirs, as part of a joint agreement made with the Government in 2021. O2's 3G switch off has already gone ahead in Durham, Norwich, Telford and Guildford. But now Torquay is the next spot to lose 3G. The move not only affects O2, but also other firms that run off its masts, including Giffgaff, Tesco Mobile and Sky Mobile. For most customers it won't make any difference - if anything it'll make space for more faster 4G and 5G kit. But some older smartphones may not be 4G or 5G compatible. While they'll still be able to make calls and send texts, they no longer get access to data. Virgin Media O2's 3G network carries less than 2 per cent of all network data now. The operator is already writing directly to all customers currently without a 4G or 5G handset, offering free compatible devices for known vulnerable customers and discounts on new handsets for all others. O2 Ends Pay-As-You-Go Data and iPad SIM Services: What You Need to Know Bosses have also announced that they're working with charity Age UK to help raise awareness and support. "The 3G switch-off may feel daunting for many older people so it's important that we do all we can to support those affected," said Caroline Abrahams, Charity Director at Age UK. 'We're very grateful for this funding from Virgin Media O2 as this will enhance our services, including our Advice Line, so that older customers can get the help needed when 3G is switched off. 'It's important to note that for those using a 3G network who don't wish to change their handset, for now they will still be able to make phone calls and send texts as they do today – it's just their mobile data this change will affect. 'Anyone who is feeling worried and would like some support can get in touch with their provider to find out more about their options and make sure they are ready for the change, or they can call Age UK's Advice Line for free on 0800 169 65 65." Which mobile networks are affected by the 3G switch off? Mobile networks affected by O2's 3G switch off: -O2 - Tesco Mobile - Sky Mobile - GiffGaff Networks which have already switched off 3G: - Vodafone - Asda Mobile - Lebara - Talk Mobile - Voxi - EE - 1pMobile - Ecotalk - IQ Mobile - Lycamobile - Mozillion - RWG Mobile - Spusi - Talk Home - Utility Warehouse - Your Co-op - Three - iD Mobile, Smarty - Honest Mobile - Superdrug How to check if your device is affected Smartphones bought in the last 10 years are unlikely to be affected by the switch off. However, if you are still unsure, you can do a simple trick to check. Click on the settings page on your phone and search for Network Mode or Preferred Network. If you spot 4G or 5G listed, then you will be unaffected by the switch off. IS THE SWITCH OFF THAT BIG OF A DEAL? Analysis by Jamie Harris, Assistant Technology and Science Editor at The Sun It's unclear exactly how many people will be affected by the 3G switch off. There wasn't much noise after Three, EE and Vodafone ended 3G. So, there will undoubtedly be some still using 3G-only phones but the numbers are probably very small. Just because it may be a small figure doesn't mean those people should be cast aside, especially if they're not very tech-savvy or vulnerable. So definitely get in contact with O2 (or GiffGaff and Tesco Mobile) if you need support, or Age UK.
