Millions remain trapped in child poverty with only 10% fall predicted by 2029
The government’s own analysis predicts more than four million children will still be living in poverty by 2029, marking a drop of just 10 per cent on the current figure.
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) forecasts reveal that the number of children on relatively low incomes will reach 4.2 million in the last year of parliament; This figure represents a decrease of 500,000 from the current 4.7 million.
The assessment was carried out in light of Labour’s decision to end the two-child benefit cap, which forms part of its child poverty strategy announced at the end of last year.
Peter Matejic, chief analyst at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, commented: “Removing the two-child limit in April is estimated to lead to a drop of half a million in child poverty between 2025/26 and 2026/27. “This is a crucial first step in reducing poverty, but should be seen as reversing the damage done to millions of children since 2017.
“The government cannot rest on its laurels alone. We still need to hear what else ministers plan to do to tackle poverty over the rest of the parliament, as the government’s own forecasts show child poverty will remain stable beyond 2026/27.”
A report published last week by the anti-poverty think tank made a similar prediction for the number of children who will remain in poverty by 2029.
Researchers found that ending the two-child benefit cap would immediately reduce the number of children in poverty by 400,000, but progress would generally plateau in coming years.
Other measures in Labour’s child poverty strategy include expanding free school meals and childcare support, as well as ending the illegal use of bed and breakfast accommodation for families. The government estimates the changes will lift more than half a million children out of poverty.
While campaigners welcomed the announcement, many criticized Labor’s failure to set clear targets for reducing child poverty. Big Problem Founder Lord John Bird warned against “hot words” at the time, arguing that the strategy lacked “ambitious goals”.
A government spokesman said: “Every child deserves the best start in life and we will lift 550,000 children out of poverty by the end of this parliament by removing the two-child limit under our Child Poverty Strategy.
“We are also working to reduce the cost of living and prevent families falling into poverty, increasing the national living wage, cutting an average of £150 from households’ energy bills and creating a real safety net for households through the £1bn multi-annual Crisis and Resilience fund.”
