Child Poverty Strategy
The UK government has published a national strategy titled Our Children, Our Future: Tackling Child Poverty, which aims to address structural drivers of poverty and reduce the number of children in poverty over the next decade. Key measures include:
- Expansion of free school meals eligibility to all children in households receiving Universal Credit in England from September 2026, which is expected to increase income for low-income families and improve educational outcomes.
- Introduction of free breakfast clubs in every primary school to help families manage childcare costs and support children’s early learning.
- Increased weekly payments to pregnant women and young children under existing benefit schemes.
The strategy was developed by the Child Poverty Taskforce with the stated intention of lifting hundreds of thousands of children out of infancy poverty and supporting long-term educational and economic prospects.
Welfare Policy Changes
Beyond child-focused measures, other welfare changes have generated controversy and discussion:
- Welfare reforms and benefit cuts have been projected to push additional families and individuals into poverty. Government estimates (in public documents) and independent analysis suggest that reductions in welfare spending could increase relative poverty rates for some groups.
- Policymakers have debated reforms to Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility, with disability rights organisations warning of negative impacts on disabled individuals already in poverty.
Political and Public Debate
Poverty policy remains politically contested in the UK. Issues such as the two-child benefit cap have been central to debate, with some political leaders and charities pushing for its removal on equity grounds and others resisting changes on fiscal or policy grounds.
2. Charities and Organisations Addressing Poverty
Charities play a dual role:
- Direct services — food, advice, housing, and income support.
- Policy advocacy — research, campaigning for systemic change.
Below are key organisations active in the UK:
Major Anti-Poverty Charities
- Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF)
A long-standing charity focused on research and policy advocacy to understand and address the root causes of poverty. It produces influential reports used by government and civil society. - Save the Children UK (Child Poverty UK programme)
Works specifically on reducing child poverty through direct support, campaigning for improved social security and addressing inequalities in education and wellbeing. - Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN)
A network of over 550 independent food banks and meal providers; advocates for a “cash first” approach, arguing systemic policy change is necessary to end food insecurity. - Church Action on Poverty
A UK social justice charity working with affected communities to empower people in poverty and influence national policy. It was instrumental in the Let’s End Poverty movement, bringing together dozens of organisations around anti-poverty campaigning. - National Energy Action (NEA)
Specialises in tackling fuel poverty — supporting people who struggle to heat their homes affordably and campaigning for energy-efficient homes and policies to reduce hardship. - War on Want
Focuses on broader anti-poverty efforts, including campaigning on inequality, social justice, and systemic drivers of poverty in the UK and globally.
Wider Community and Support Initiatives
- FareShare and The Trussell Trust (via related reporting)
These organisations redistribute food to charities and operate extensive food banks; while not unique anti-poverty policy advocates, they provide critical frontline support to people experiencing food insecurity. - Let’s End Poverty movement
Although it formally concluded in 2025, this coalition mobilised charities, faith groups, unions, and activists to foreground poverty as a political priority and continues in part through ongoing advocacy by member organisations.
3. Interaction Between Government and Charities
- Government-charity engagement occurs through consultations on policy strategy (e.g., child poverty taskforces and local anti-poverty initiatives).
- Charities frequently criticise or advocate changes where government policy is seen as insufficient — such as calling for a benefit system overhaul, ending the two-child cap, or expanding social security support.
- At the same time, charities often deliver government-funded services or partner on community programmes, particularly in food security and early years support.
4. Trends and Challenges
Public and policy debates continue to centre on how best to balance short-term relief (e.g., food banks) with long-term structural changes (e.g., employment, wages, childcare, housing).
Charitable sector funding pressure is growing, with organisations reporting demand increases and financial constraints that can distort priorities or reduce capacity.