One of Britain’s leading charities, the Children’s Society, says that Chancellor Osborne’s latest budget, announced this afternoon (16 March 2016), “fails the next generation”.
“It is deeply disappointing that the Chancellor has once again failed to deliver for struggling families,” declared chief executive Matthew Reed.
He continued: “If the Government wants to put the next generation first it must confront child poverty head-on. Instead it is pressing ahead with a four-year benefits freeze that will hit 7.5 million children.
“The Chancellor’s claim that child poverty has fallen ignores that half a million more children live in absolute poverty compared with 2010, and the numbers in the most severe poverty are also rising. Without immediate action independent forecasts indicate that hundreds of thousands more will join them.
“If the Government wants to act now rather than pay later, it must also invest in early intervention services in order to address problems before they become crises and make sure children can get the start in life they deserve.
“There also needs to be more investment in desperately needed therapy for young people traumatised by sexual abuse and exploitation.
“Vulnerable children and teenagers will continue to suffer until the Government is willing to commit the resources needed to tackle the challenges they face,” concluded Mr Reed.
The Children’s Society is a national charity that runs local services, helping children and young people when they are at their most vulnerable, and have nowhere left to turn.
The charity also campaigns for changes to laws affecting children and young people, to stop the mistakes of the past being repeated in the future.
Its supporters around the country fund services and join campaigns to demonstrate to children and young people that hey are on their side.
* The Children’s Society: http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk
* You can access all Ekklesia's commentary and analysis on the 2016 Budget here: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/budget2016
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