Child poverty target could be missed, says Blunkett
Former Home Secretary David Blunkett yesterday predicted the Government could narrowly miss a vital target in its aim to reduce child poverty.
During a talk in Northampton, organised by Northampton North MP Sally Keeble, the seminar focused on the measures needed to reach the Government's target of halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating it completely by 2020.
Mr Blunkett, MP for Sheffield Brightside constituency, told an audience at the Friends Meeting House, Wellington Street: "I think we are likely to miss the 2010 target but we will get close to it.
But he added: "I think we need to concentrate our hearts and minds on reducing child poverty by the year 2020."
National clinical director for children and young people and maternity services, Dr Sheila Shribman, also gave a keynote speech at the seminar.
Mrs Keeble is a member of the Treasury Select Committee, which is looking at some of the measures taken by the Government to tackle child poverty.
The Labour politician said: "The decade of economic stability has improved things for most families, but some have slipped through the net.
"We know that the most intractable poverty is experienced by children."
The full article contains 202 words and appears in Northampton Chron & Echo newspaper.
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Last Updated:
16 May 2008 8:19 AM
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Source:
Northampton Chron & Echo
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Location:
Northampton
