Date Published: 23 October 2008

Report underlines the importance of ending child poverty

UNICEF UK responded to today’s Joseph Rowntree Foundation report on the costs of child poverty by calling on the Government to keep its commitment to halve child poverty by 2010 and end it by 2020.

The report, Estimating the costs of child poverty by Donald Hirsch, shows that child poverty costs at least £25 billion each year in losses to the Exchequer and in reduced Gross Domestic Product (GDP). This demonstrates that child poverty is not only causing extreme hardship, but is imposing a large cost on taxpayers and reducing the UK’s economic potential.

"This report once again shows the huge importance of ending child poverty in the UK," said Jenifer Commin, UK Policy and Parliamentary Officer at UNICEF UK. "The moral challenge is clear; this report sets out the financial cost of failing 3.9 million children."

"The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child states that every child has the right to grow up free from poverty, to be safe, healthy and educated so as to able to reach their full potential. Last year’s UNICEF report on child wellbeing ranked the UK bottom out of 21 OECD countries. Today’s report once again demonstrates the urgent need for the government to fulfil its obligations."

About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments.

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