Labour’s missed chance to reduce child poverty

The evidence from the Trades Union Congress and Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) cited in your article exposes the political and economic hole Labour has dug for itself (Low wages under Tories have pushed 900,000 UK children into poverty, report finds, 25 June).

Labour’s commitment to reducing child poverty, reforming benefits and investment in starved public services is dependent solely on achieving economic growth from day one. The longer this takes, the more damaging the consequences for children’s health, education and wellbeing.

Labour is sacrificing the poorest children to the Tories’ approach to taxation and fiscal responsibility. As the IFS report argues, given the limited and precarious growth forecast, Labour may be forced into an about-turn by either increasing taxation or cutting benefits and essential services. What a missed opportunity by the party to win the hearts and minds of the electorate by offering even a modest approach to progressive taxation and wealth reform, and to shift its policy from rationing to needs-led public services, and from inequality to ending child poverty.
Prof Mike Stein
University of York

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