Frankie W
What would a successful Child Poverty Strategy look like?I asked my two children what would be the best thing about having slightly more money - not rich, I pointed out - and they said: "to be able to go on a holiday this year".
I asked my two children what the best thing would be about having slightly more money - not rich, I pointed out - and they said: "to be able to go on a holiday this year".
I think this is kind of key to what success looks like. The figures are absolutely important, but I think more people will *feel* the impact of a Child Poverty Strategy that delivers practical things. Part of that is obviously going to be financial (so you can afford a holiday for example - but this could be through easier to use versions of Help to Save designed for smaller savings goals perhaps), but in other cases it may be through extending free after-school clubs to every primary age child on Universal Credit, making childcare 100% reimbursed instead of 85%, or having free public transport for all under 18s.
I also think it's important that the Child Poverty Strategy interlinks with the priorities of government departments. Extending free school meals to all children on UC and free fruit in schools to all year groups will improve child nutrition. This would align with the Department of Health’s shift from care to prevention, as would a major expansion of Healthy Start vouchers to create a more holistic scheme for all children up to age 16.
In education, our most recent group discussion focused on how children on UC often miss out on learning a musical instrument. DCMS and DfE could collaborate on a new entitlement - starting with UC claimants but extending universally eventually - to ensure every child picks an instrument and is given free lessons for their entire school career. This fits with DCMS aims to broaden inclusive access to the arts. Evidence shows how learning an instrument has knock on positive effects for learning across subjects and DWP will be pleased that the increased demand for music tuition (during school hours and after but delivered in music hubs and in schools) would provide stable employment for many musicians. Free public transport for under 18s aligns with our climate goals for net zero.
Giving young people a permanent voice is important and could be a part of the Child Poverty Strategy. For example, I hope the British Youth Parliament representatives are being contacted for their input in the strategy. The British Youth Parliament should extend representation with formally organised elections in every constituency - via elections in every secondary (and primary, if feasible) school in the country and votes at 16 should be progressed too.
I also think it's important that the Child Poverty Strategy interlinks with the priorities of government departments. Extending free school meals to all children on UC and free fruit in schools to all year groups will improve child nutrition fitting in with DH's big shift from care to prevention, as would a major expansion of Healthy Start vouchers to become a more holistic scheme for all children up to age 16. In education our most recent group discussion focused on how children on UC often miss out on learning a musical instrument. DCMS and DfE could collaborate on a new entitlement - starting with UC claimants but extending universally eventually - to ensure every child picks an instrument and is given free lessons for their entire school career. This fits with DCMS aims to broaden inclusive access to the arts, evidence shows how learning an instrument has knock on positive effects for learning across subjects and DWP will be pleased that the increased demand for music tuition (during school hours and after but delivered in music hubs and in schools) would provide stable employment for many musicians. Free public transport for under 18s aligns with our climate goals for net zero.
Giving young people a permanent voice is important and could be a part of the Child Poverty Strategy. For example, I hope the British Youth Parliament representatives are being contacted for their input in the strategy. The British Youth Parliament should extend representation with formally organised elections in every constituency - via elections in every secondary (and primary, if feasible) school in the country and votes at 16 should be progressed too.