The Observer view on child poverty: Labour must tackle this scourge as soon as possible | Observer editorial

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Report on Child Poverty and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the UK

Introduction

Almost one in three British children now live in relative poverty. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has referred to this generation as “austerity’s children”. These children grow up in families facing constant financial stress, where a lack of financial security can trigger a downward spiral into debt, and where parents must make difficult choices about essentials such as food and heating. This situation is a direct result of political decisions and is a significant concern for the nation’s conscience.

Current Trends in Child Poverty

The headline rate of child poverty is supported by several alarming trends:

1. Two-thirds of children living in relative poverty are in families where at least one adult works, highlighting the prevalence of low-paid jobs.
2. Child poverty rates are higher in families where someone has a disability, and among children from Pakistani (58%) and Bangladeshi (67%) backgrounds.
3. Child homelessness is at record levels, with more than 140,000 children in England being homeless.
4. One in six children live in families experiencing food insecurity, and one in 40 in a family that has accessed a food bank in the past 30 days.

Political Decisions and Their Impact

Several political decisions have exacerbated child poverty:

• Consecutive Conservative chancellors have reduced financial support for low-income parents, resulting in significant income losses for families in the poorest decile.
• Affluent households have benefited from tax cuts, while poor families have faced cuts to tax credits and benefits.
• The housing crisis has not been addressed, leading to some of the highest rents in Europe and an under-regulated private rental sector.
• The prevalence of low-paid jobs means that work often cannot serve as a route out of poverty.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Child Poverty

Addressing child poverty is crucial for achieving several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – Reducing child poverty directly contributes to eradicating poverty in all its forms.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – Ensuring food security for children is essential for their growth and development.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – Alleviating poverty improves children’s health outcomes and well-being.
• SDG 4: Quality Education – Reducing poverty ensures that children have better access to education and learning opportunities.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Addressing child poverty helps reduce inequalities within and among countries.

Recommendations for Urgent Action

Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has called for urgent action to address child poverty. Key recommendations include:

• Redirecting funds earmarked for tax cuts towards restoring financial support for low-income parents to 2010 levels in real terms.
• Scrapping the two-child limit and benefits cap, and increasing the generosity of benefits and tax credits overall.
• Reforming the private rental sector and investing in services that can help close the education and health gaps between poor children and their more affluent peers.

Conclusion

The issue of child poverty is a significant moral question of our time. Addressing it is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and ensuring a better future for all children. Urgent action is required from the current government, and it must be a priority for any future government as well.

• Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a letter of up to 250 words to be considered for publication, email it to us at observer.letters@observer.co.uk

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Analysis

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 1: No Poverty
2. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
5. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
6. SDG 10: Reduced Inequality
7. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
  • Target 1.2: Reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
  • Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable.
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
  • Target 2.1: End hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Target 3.4: Reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
• SDG 4: Quality Education
  • Target 4.1: Ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequality
  • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe, and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• SDG 1 Indicators:
  • Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age.
  • Indicator 1.3.1: Proportion of population covered by social protection floors/systems.
• SDG 2 Indicators:
  • Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment.
• SDG 3 Indicators:
  • Indicator 3.4.2: Suicide mortality rate (implied through mental health services).
• SDG 4 Indicators:
  • Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in reading and mathematics.
• SDG 8 Indicators:
  • Indicator 8.5.2: Unemployment rate, by sex, age, and persons with disabilities.
• SDG 10 Indicators:
  • Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50% of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
• SDG 11 Indicators:
  • Indicator 11.1.1: Proportion of urban population living in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators