STATEMENT ON THE BUDGET AND SPENDING REVIEW BY NATIONAL CHILDREN’S BUREAU
Anna Feuchtwang, Chief Executive of the National Children’s Bureau, said:
“Today’s Budget and Spending Review could be a turning point for children and families. The prominence given to the needs of babies, children and young people in the Chancellor’s speech, when they’ve been all too often ignored in previous budget announcements, provides a glimmer of hope that we are embarking on a new direction.
“Working with 100’s of organisations from across the children’s sector, the #BuildBackChildhood campaign put the case for investment in the early years, prevention and early intervention, and addressing the squeeze on living standards for families. The Treasury has listened to many of our arguments and we applaud them for that. The new investment and additional financial support announced today will undoubtedly make a difference to many families.
“But creating lasting change must mean sustained improvement in local authority budgets for children and families too. Investment is still urgently needed in health visiting, childcare and early education, children’s social care, and support for disabled children.
“And while money for public services is vital, high rates of child poverty remain an insurmountable barrier to levelling up opportunities for children. Rises to the national living wage and the taper rate for Universal Credit are positive moves but more is needed for children growing up in households with nobody working. Rising insecurity, debt, homelessness and hunger is not the context in which plans to build back childhood can succeed.”
Find out more about our campaign at: www.ncb.org.uk/buildbackchildhood