How can the new government reduce child poverty?

Of the 14.4 million children in the UK, 4.3 million are living in relative poverty. Tackling child poverty is high up the policy agenda for the new government: one of their five missions is “breaking down barriers to opportunity” for children, and they have launched a ministerial taskforce to develop an “ambitious” cross-government strategy to reduce child poverty to be published in spring 2025.

At this event IFS researchers presented a deep dive into child poverty, starting with a review of trends in child poverty in recent decades, and how support through the benefits system has changed over time. They discussed a range of policy options the government has if it wishes to reduce child poverty or alleviate the depth of poverty some children face, largely focusing on potential reforms to the benefit system but also the role of changes in the labour market.