WIREDGOV

Julia Unwin, Chief Executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, reponded to reports that the Government is considering changing the child poverty measure.

“Poverty measurements are not perfect but our research shows that money does affect children's outcomes. Addressing the causes of poverty – low pay and productivity, housing and costs of living – is complex, but you cannot divorce a conversation about poverty from the question of low income.

“It is essential that we have a way  to measure progress because we know that without action 1 in 3 children will be living in poverty by 2020.  It’s time for sustained cross-party support to tackle the causes of poverty rather than allowing a debate about a new measure to stand in the way of action.”