William Eichler 04 November 2020

Charities tell PM to protect children from ‘winter of hunger’

The UK’s leading children’s charities have joined forces to urge the Government to do more to protect children this winter.

Chief executives from The Children’s Society, Barnardo’s, NSPCC, Save the Children, Action for Children and the National Children’s Bureau have written to the Prime Minister calling on him to ‘stop poverty hampering children’s life chances’.

‘With winter approaching and the country about to head into national lockdown once again, the most vulnerable children and their families are already feeling the impact of the pandemic on jobs and livelihoods, which has heightened the challenges they already face,’ the letter reads.

‘The children and families we support through our services have been telling us that they’re worried about access to food, finance and basic essential items over the winter. To stop poverty hampering children’s life chances and to give disadvantaged children and families across our country the strongest start, we need to tackle this endemic problem.’

The open letter, which follows a similar letter from faith leaders, calls on the Government to extend the provision of free school meals, invest more in children’s services, improve the welfare system, and tackle educational inequalities.

The charities welcomed the public engagement in recent weeks with the issue of free school meals, which was in part a response to the footballer Marcus Rashford’s campaign to extend free school meals over the holidays. However, they insisted that a more systematic approach needed to be taken to end child poverty.

‘Effectively tackling poverty and inequality needs an overarching approach, including but not limited to free school meals,’ the letter reads.

‘As children’s charities delivering services in communities across the country, we see, at first hand, the case for investment in children’s services, early help for families and holistic work to tackle all forms of neglect and abuse.’

The letter also warns of the harm caused by ‘digital poverty’ and says these issues are particularly acute for children from ethnic minority backgrounds.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Registered Building Inspector (Band 2/Grade 7)

Health and Safety Executive
£60,760 - £65,776
The Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is transforming building safety regulation across England. United Kingdom / various Locations
Recuriter: Health and Safety Executive

Revenues and Recovery Team Leader

Ashfield District Council
£37,938 - £40,476 per annum (pay award pending)
We have an exciting opportunity for a Revenues and Recovery Team Leader Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Housing Options Officer

Ashfield District Council
£31,067 - £33,366 per annum (pay award pending)
Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of residents in housing need? Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Building Services Operative

Ashfield District Council
£25,584 - £27,269 per annum (pay award pending)
The Facilities team are looking to recruit an enthusiastic individual Sutton-In-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire
Recuriter: Ashfield District Council

Street Cleansing Technician (CDC)

City Of Doncaster Council
Grade 5, £24,397 per annum (pay award pending)
Do you enjoy working outside, as part of a team that make a direct difference to the communities of Doncaster? Doncaster, South Yorkshire
Recuriter: City Of Doncaster Council
Linkedin Banner