Labour Pledge to Reduce Child Poverty

Toddler walking outdoors on the grass with his back to the camera

Labour Pledge to Reduce Child Poverty

Sir Keir Starmer launched Labour’s manifesto in Manchester on 13th June. The manifesto outlines plans to address child poverty by collaborating with the voluntary sector, faith organisations, trade unions, businesses, devolved and local governments, and communities to develop an ambitious strategy. However, the party has drawn criticism for refusing to commit to eliminate the two child limit and benefit cap policies.

Labour has also committed to the Conservatives’ policy of expanding the funded childcare entitlement in England. The main change they have indicated is a programme of converting disused primary school classrooms to nurseries. The sector’s response to this has been decidedly mixed, with concerns both that it will mean PVI settings competing with schools, and that the quality of delivery will not be sufficient. There do not appear to be have been any firm commitments on staffing.

Labour also stated that if it wins the General Election, it would ensure that the minimum wage is a ‘genuine living wage’. It says it would change the remit of the independent Low Pay Commission so for the first time it accounts for the cost of living. Additionally, Labour proposes removing age bands so all adults are entitled to the same minimum wage, which they believe would benefit hundreds of thousands of workers.

The National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) emphasised that any increase in the minimum wage should be factored into early years funding rates.
The early years workforce crisis and funding for childcare places were not mentioned in Labour’s manifesto. The Early Years Alliance and NDNA have argued that these must be a priority for the next government.

Speech and Language UK said that the next government will need to go beyond their commitment to evidence-based early language interventions in primary schools. They argue that better training for early years staff and teachers is needed so they can identify children struggling with talking and understanding words, and provide the support they need.

To achieve their targets, Labour’s manifesto still needs to address key issues such as the early years workforce crisis and funding for childcare places.