New scheme launched to tackle child poverty

A new initiative aimed at reducing child poverty has been unveiled by ministers.

Jobcentre Plus personal advisers are to be placed in children’s centres in order to give parents better access to their services.

It is hoped this measure will lead to more parents being in employment, lowering the level of child poverty and helping families to remain debt free.

The pilot scheme is being rolled out across 30 centres in ten different local authorities from January of next year.

It follows a successful trial period of providing tax credits advice through children’s centres, which now is due to be expanded.

Children’s minister Beverley Hughes said that the government has done a lot to lift households out of poverty.

“We remain fully committed to tackling child poverty through support for families,” she added.

Recently the Child Poverty Action Group revealed that child poverty costs the UK around £25 billion per year.

By Jamie Price