As @patmcfaddenmp outlines here, the impact of poverty on children can have huge consequences for the rest of their lives.
That's why we must invest in children to give them the futures they deserve.
Save the Children ambassador, Shabaz Ali, interviewed the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about what the UK Government is doing to tackle child poverty and support young people.
You can watch the full interview here: https://t.co/pd5PvzCjqF
Children are paying the highest price in today’s wars.
MPs across political parties agreed that the UK Government must do more to protect children facing devastating harm in conflicts from Gaza to Sudan, including from the deadly impact of explosive weapons, which are killing children on a horrific scale.
The UN Children and Armed Conflict agenda is one of the world’s most important tools for monitoring grave violations against children and holding perpetrators to account.
With one in five children now growing up in war zones, the UK must step up.
Children have distinct needs and rights, and are often hit first and hardest by conflict because their bodies and minds are still forming.
It’s time for the UK Government to publish the UK’s first ever Children and Armed Conflict Strategy to protect children caught in conflict, end impunity, and stop future violations against children.
Civilians in Sudan are facing horrific suffering in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. We must ensure life‑saving aid reaches those who need it most.
I met NGO leaders to discuss UK action to help those on the ground.
No child’s future should be a casualty of war. Yesterday, with @WarChildUK & @savechildrenuk I listened to inspiring girls from Sudan, Yemen & Ukraine about why education & mental health support matter to children in conflict. 🇬🇧 is committed to ensuring their voices are heard.
A significant step towards finally seeing this huge fund released to support victims of the war in Ukraine, after successive Governments have blocked its release for over 3 years.
It must be unlocked now. The victims of the war can't wait any longer. https://t.co/NCSU6JoVUp
"I saw the pain my wife went through during childbirth because of FGM. I could not let my daughters go through the same suffering."
We support gender equality worldwide.
Due to UK aid cuts, one of Somalia's only initiatives directly tackling gender-based violence, including child marriage and Female Genital Mutilation, will end in March 2026 – two years earlier than planned.
This is devastating news for the thousands that will now go without support. https://t.co/aoJkDbYtSz
Delighted to mark the launch of the UK Government's Child Poverty Strategy with @DWPgovuk Secretary of State @patmcfaddenmp and @LivingstoneSoph@LittleVillageHQ
We welcome this ambitious plan. It can make a real difference to children’s lives. And underpin the country's future prosperity.
"Child poverty limits children’s life chances. Tackling it is an investment in working families and our country’s future" - Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden
Over 500,000 children will be lifted out of poverty due to the strategy announced today https://t.co/jL3qp7zBO1
Families will be better off under this plan with 7.1 million children seeing their household incomes boosted by the end of this Parliament.
Scrapping the two-child limit to benefits, expanding free school meals, and increasing childcare support for families including for those returning to work after maternity leave are bold measures to improve childhoods – not the sticking plaster measures of the past.
Ministers involved in creating the strategy listened extensively to children impacted by deep poverty over many months and we hope this way of working is used as a blueprint for creating policy in future that impacts young people.
We welcome this expansive and historic plan, and we look forward to seeing the difference it can make to children’s lives in the years to come.
Rachel Reeves has today done more to transform the lives of 450,000 of Britain’s poorest children than any of the seven previous Conservative chancellors, who, in 14 long years, did nothing but harm to the lives of vulnerable children.
https://t.co/xOTRFpKUhU
Child poverty costs the UK economy an estimated £39 billion per year – more than ten times the money that keeping the two-child limit 'saves'.
And as the limit itself is the largest single driver of rising child poverty in the UK, scrapping it would be the most cost-effective way to reduce child poverty.
Don't just take our word for it. Over 40 economists, academics, and policy experts back us too: https://t.co/cPghtjfv0m
This is a vital intervention from the Foreign Secretary today.
The horrors children in Sudan are facing must not be normalised.
Globally, sexual violence committed against girls and boys has doubled over the last five years – and violations are at record highs. Children must be protected and international humanitarian law must be upheld.
This is not up for debate: it is an indisputable fact and a legal duty owed to every child.
The UK can help to protect children by publishing its first ever Children and Armed Conflict Strategy. And for children in Sudan, the UK must use every lever at their disposal to stop the violence and protect children.
Scrapping the two-child limit to benefits would be life-changing for nearly 1.7 million children impacted by this policy and who live in poverty.
Dan Paskins, Director of UK Impact at Save the Children said:
“Removing the two-child limit to benefits at the Budget is the right thing for the UK Government to do and they should end this cruel rule with pride, knowing that they will help children thrive.
“The truth is the majority of families impacted by the two-child limit to benefits have parents in work. Furthermore, nearly 90% of children affected are in families of only three or four children.
“Debate around this policy is going to surface as we head towards the Budget but no-one should be proud of our current record levels of child poverty. That stain on the UK’s reputation will continue unless bold action is taken.”
This evening, we are delighted to launch the essay collection ‘Promising Development: The Future of Aid in an Uncertain World’ with our partners @BritainLeads@thefabians@savechildrenuk.
Check out the pamphlet ➡️ https://t.co/MyCrb3nvkZ
"The two-child limit is punishing children for their existence... we cannot stand by while this continues to happen.”
Great to see so many celebs support this @TrussellUK letter calling on the UK Govt to scrap the two-child limit, including our ambassador Dame Arlene Philips 👇
We're proud to sign this letter and join 100+ other organisations in calling for the UK Government to fully scrap the two-child limit.
Every day the two-child limit remains, in any form, it pushes children into poverty. Now is not the time for half-measures.
By fully scrapping the two-child limit the government can deliver a decisive shift in children’s opportunities, and in the UK's potential.
Learn more here: https://t.co/mXwgCN67xY