Latest news with #SavetheChildrenUK
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Reeves warned child poverty will be higher at election unless one choice is made
Eleven charities, including Citizens Advice, Save the Children UK, and Trussell, warn that the two-child limit has pulled 37,000 children into poverty since Labour took office Rachel Reeves is being warned Labour could go into the next election with child poverty significantly higher unless she commits to scrapping the two-child benefit limit. Eleven charities have today written to the Chancellor urging her to make a commitment in next week's spending review to abolish the two-child limit and benefit cap in the Autumn Budget. The charities, including Child Poverty Action Group, Citizens Advice, Save the Children UK, Trussell and The Children's Society, warn that the two-child limit has already pulled 37,000 children into poverty since Labour took office. The letter states: 'The stark reality is that if these policies remain in place, child poverty will be significantly higher at the end of this parliament, the first time this has happened under a Labour government.' It continues: 'Lifting the two-child limit and the benefit cap will immediately lift 400,000 children out of poverty, and 950,000 children will be living in less deep poverty. 'It is rare that a single policy decision can reap such an immediate positive impact for so many. For a government that is committed to raising living standards, this is an extremely effective policy lever to pull. 'Taking this opportunity to make this commitment now will send a powerful message to families everywhere that this government is on their side, and is prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure every child gets the best start in life.' The two-child benefit limit denies the child allowance in universal credit to third or subsequent children born after April 2017. The benefit cap limits the total amount of benefit a low-earning or non-working household can receive, irrespective of the number of children in the household, if any. Letter in full: Dear Chancellor, As organisations working closely with children and families across the UK, we are writing to ask you to include strong action to reduce child poverty in the forthcoming Spending Review, including a clear commitment to abolish the two-child limit and the benefit cap. We look forward to the forthcoming child poverty strategy which, with the right investment, will function as a cornerstone to much of what this government has set out to achieve. Reducing child poverty lays the foundations for improved living standards, economic growth, and opportunity for all. While we remain hopeful about what lies ahead for children and families, we are also acutely aware that families living in poverty cannot wait. The two-child limit is pushing over 100 children into poverty every single day. This egregious policy, together with the benefit cap, has already trapped hundreds of thousands of children in poverty, and this number is rising ever higher with each day that passes. 37,000 children have been pushed into poverty by the two-child limit since the government took office, and the stark reality is that if these policies remain in place, child poverty will be significantly higher at the end of this parliament, the first time this has happened under a Labour government. Conversely, clear and decisive action now will be transformative for children and families. Lifting the two-child limit and the benefit cap will immediately lift 400,000 children out of poverty, and 950,000 children will be living in less deep poverty. It is rare that a single policy decision can reap such an immediate positive impact for so many. For a government that is committed to raising living standards, this is an extremely effective policy lever to pull. In advance of the Spending Review next week, we urge you to make a firm commitment that the two-child limit and the benefit cap will be abolished by this government as part of the Autumn Budget. We recognise the government's desire to set out how policies will be funded, but continuing to delay this decision comes with risks for both the government and for the people it serves. Taking this opportunity to make this commitment now will send a powerful message to families everywhere that this government is on their side, and is prepared to take the necessary steps to ensure every child gets the best start in life. Yours sincerely, Alison Garnham, CEO, Child Poverty Action Group Joe Howes, CEO, Buttle UK and Chair of the End Child Poverty Coalition Dr Philip Goodwin, CEO, The UK Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) Nerys Anthony, Executive Director for Youth Impact, The Children's Society Moazzam Malik, CEO, Save the Children UK Paul Carberry, CEO, Action for Children Lisa Pearce, Interim CEO, Gingerbread Emma Revie, CEO, Trussell Baroness Anne Longfield, Executive Chair and Founder, Centre for Young Lives Philip Anderson, Strategic Director for External Affairs, National Children's Bureau
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Drag queen, TikTok star and man with one lung taking on London Marathon
A drag queen, TikTok star, a man with one lung and a cancer survivor are among the runners taking part in the London Marathon today (April 27). More than 56,000 people are expected to run the 26.2 mile course through the capital, including some people from East Lancashire. Blackburn's Shabaz Ali, who has more than two million followers on TikTok, will be running the marathon on behalf of Save the Children UK. Shabaz, known as 'Shabaz Says' on his social media channels, creates comedic and light-hearted content that uses humour and satire to reflect and comment on the latest news and social trends, with a particular focus on poverty and discrimination. Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph earlier this year, Shabaz said he was 'excited but nervous' to be taking part. He said: 'I thought it was a brilliant idea at the time, now it is getting closer I am thinking 'I've actually got to run 26 miles'. It is all good in theory isn't it?' he joked. 'Most of the time I am lying down in bed in my videos – my viewers are surprised I have legs! The comment section has been so lovely... I am overwhelmed. Shabaz Ali (Image: Save The Children) 'I am excited to be part of something. I always see how happy people are when they finish it. I know I can raise so much money for it. 'I used to run in lockdown. Before that, I hated the outdoors. I love the freedom of running and regularly run around Entwistle reservoir.' Richard Few, from Clitheroe, is also set to take part – and he only has one lung. It's his second London Marathon. Richard Few (Image: Richard Few) He is running on behalf of Asthma and Lung UK. In February 2008, Richard went to the hospital thinking he had a chest infection but was told that his lung had collapsed. This was the first of many collapses over the coming months, which led to his right lung being removed. Richard said running long distances with one lung makes his heart rate higher, meaning his heart has to work harder to pump oxygen around his body. He says running long distances feels like his face is 'covered with a pillow'. A Burnley cancer survivor is also set to take part in her first London Marathon. Millie Stubbs (Image: Millie Stubbs) On her 13th birthday, Millie Stubbs was told she had stage two thyroid cancer. Now 22, the Burnley-born nurse is preparing to run the London Marathon in support of the charity that helped her through it all, the Teenage Cancer Trust. READ MORE: Burnley Drag Race UK star Elektra Fence in Parliament to discuss cerebral palsy Drag queen Elektra Fence, real name Julian Riley, from Burnley is also preparing to lace up their running shoes to take part in the London Marathon for the second year running. Elektra Fence (Image: Elektra Fence) Elektra, who appeared on Drag Race UK in 2021, is running for disability equality charity, Scope. They said: 'My first marathon in 2024 was one of the most inspirational experiences of my life; such positivity, love and joy everywhere you looked. 'Thanks to everyone who kindly donated last year, we managed to smash my £2,000 target and we raised a whopping £3201.00 'Scope does so much good and I want to do my bit!'
Western Telegraph
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Two-child benefit cap should be scrapped, charities say
Failing to scrap the limit could put child poverty at its highest level since records began by the end of this parliament, groups including Barnardo's, Save the Children UK and Citizens Advice warned. Charities have been ramping up pressure on the Government to ditch the benefits restriction as part of its new child poverty plan. The strategy is due to be published this spring, although the End Child Poverty Coalition has said it believes the document might not come until June. (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire) The letter urges Sir Keir Starmer to 'direct the full weight of your government into reducing child poverty with urgency'. It reads: 'Scrapping the two-child limit is by far the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. 'It would lift 350,000 children out of poverty overnight and result in 700,000 children living in less deep poverty. 'If it is not scrapped, the stark reality is that child poverty will be significantly higher at the end of this parliament than when the government took office, making this the first time a Labour government would leave such a legacy, and the number of children living in poverty will be at its highest since records began.' The Child Poverty Action Group, which signed the letter, estimates that the number of children in poverty will jump from 4.5 million currently to 4.8 million by 2029 unless urgent action is taken. The two-child limit was first announced in 2015 by the Conservatives and came into effect on April 6 2017. It restricts child tax credit and universal credit (UC) to the first two children in most households. While it applies across the UK, the Scottish Government has pledged to mitigate the policy's impacts for people there, although payments for this are not expected to begin until 2026. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told ITV's Good Morning Britain 'nothing's off the table' in the UK Government's plan to tackle child poverty. Ms Phillipson and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall are leading a child poverty taskforce 'and we are looking at all areas', she said. Asked if that meant lifting the two-child cap had not been ruled out, Ms Phillipson said: 'We're looking at every option, including social security measures, absolutely. 'But there are a range of ways, alongside that, we know that we can tackle child poverty.'
Powys County Times
23-04-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Two-child benefit cap should be scrapped, charities say
Scrapping the two-child benefit limit is the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty, charities have argued in a letter to the Prime Minister. Failing to scrap the limit could put child poverty at its highest level since records began by the end of this parliament, groups including Barnardo's, Save the Children UK and Citizens Advice warned. Charities have been ramping up pressure on the Government to ditch the benefits restriction as part of its new child poverty plan. The strategy is due to be published this spring, although the End Child Poverty Coalition has said it believes the document might not come until June. The letter urges Sir Keir Starmer to 'direct the full weight of your government into reducing child poverty with urgency'. It reads: 'Scrapping the two-child limit is by far the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. 'It would lift 350,000 children out of poverty overnight and result in 700,000 children living in less deep poverty. 'If it is not scrapped, the stark reality is that child poverty will be significantly higher at the end of this parliament than when the government took office, making this the first time a Labour government would leave such a legacy, and the number of children living in poverty will be at its highest since records began.' The Child Poverty Action Group, which signed the letter, estimates that the number of children in poverty will jump from 4.5 million currently to 4.8 million by 2029 unless urgent action is taken. The two-child limit was first announced in 2015 by the Conservatives and came into effect on April 6 2017. It restricts child tax credit and universal credit (UC) to the first two children in most households. While it applies across the UK, the Scottish Government has pledged to mitigate the policy's impacts for people there, although payments for this are not expected to begin until 2026. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told ITV's Good Morning Britain 'nothing's off the table' in the UK Government's plan to tackle child poverty. Ms Phillipson and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall are leading a child poverty taskforce 'and we are looking at all areas', she said. Asked if that meant lifting the two-child cap had not been ruled out, Ms Phillipson said: 'We're looking at every option, including social security measures, absolutely. 'But there are a range of ways, alongside that, we know that we can tackle child poverty.'
South Wales Argus
23-04-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
HMRC Child Benefit two-child cap should be scrapped, charities say
Failing to scrap the limit could put child poverty at its highest level since records began by the end of this parliament, groups including Barnardo's, Save the Children UK and Citizens Advice warned. Charities have been ramping up pressure on the Government to ditch the benefits restriction as part of its new child poverty plan. The strategy is due to be published this spring, although the End Child Poverty Coalition has said it believes the document might not come until June. (Image: Ben Birchall/PA Wire) The letter urges Sir Keir Starmer to 'direct the full weight of your government into reducing child poverty with urgency'. It reads: 'Scrapping the two-child limit is by far the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty. 'It would lift 350,000 children out of poverty overnight and result in 700,000 children living in less deep poverty. 'If it is not scrapped, the stark reality is that child poverty will be significantly higher at the end of this parliament than when the government took office, making this the first time a Labour government would leave such a legacy, and the number of children living in poverty will be at its highest since records began.' The Child Poverty Action Group, which signed the letter, estimates that the number of children in poverty will jump from 4.5 million currently to 4.8 million by 2029 unless urgent action is taken. The two-child limit was first announced in 2015 by the Conservatives and came into effect on April 6 2017. It restricts child tax credit and universal credit (UC) to the first two children in most households. While it applies across the UK, the Scottish Government has pledged to mitigate the policy's impacts for people there, although payments for this are not expected to begin until 2026. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told ITV's Good Morning Britain 'nothing's off the table' in the UK Government's plan to tackle child poverty. Ms Phillipson and Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall are leading a child poverty taskforce 'and we are looking at all areas', she said. Asked if that meant lifting the two-child cap had not been ruled out, Ms Phillipson said: 'We're looking at every option, including social security measures, absolutely. 'But there are a range of ways, alongside that, we know that we can tackle child poverty.'
