Brown will miss child poverty target - Brooke

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 26th Mar 2007

Annette has been a long standing combatant against child poverty

Commenting ahead of tomorrow's Government figures on the number of children living in poverty, Annette Brooke MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Children, Young People and Families, said:

"The Government is on course to miss its 2010 child poverty target by over three quarters of a million children. 

"Last week's Budget won't even make up for the 300,000 children the Government missed its 2005 child poverty target by.

"Simply ploughing more money into a tax credit system mired in chaos is not the way to eradicate child poverty. The measly child benefit increase won't even take effect until April 2010.

"Even with the additional spending on tax credits announced by the Chancellor, the Government will need to spend an additional £4bn a year to meet its target - money which Gordon Brown simply doesn't have.

"Brown must realise that combating child poverty through the 'one club' approach of tax credits has now run its course. We need a new approach focused on cutting regressive taxes, improving housing, targeting more money to improve education for the poorest children, and more support through child benefit.

"We need a new approach on child poverty if the Government is going to deliver."

ENDS