11 July 2005 - Breaking the cycle of deprivation for disabled children - Hodge
Margaret Hodge today pledged to help break the cycle of deprivation amongst disabled children in Britain.
Speaking at the Child Poverty Accord Forum, the Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform said:
'Disabled children are more likely to be poor and poor children are more likely to be disabled. This is a vicious circle that I feel duty bound to break.'
'Together we can break the cycle of deprivation. Together we can ensure that children with disabilities are not denied opportunities others take for granted. Together we can ensure every child gets the best start in life.'
Mothers of disabled children are seven times less likely than mothers with non-disabled children to be able to get to work, mainly because of a lack of suitable childcare, a problem the Government is already tackling.
Margaret Hodge said:
'Early intervention is key in helping to give children the best start in life. As part of the 10-year strategy for childcare, the Sure Start Unit should ensure, by 2015, all families with a disabled child under five years can access high quality, flexible childcare.
'The Government is committed to an ambitious 20-year strategy to improve the life chances for disabled adults and children in Britain.
'We, each of us, have an important role in the fight to eradicate child poverty. A partnership between us all, government, voluntary, private, public, faith and community groups, is the best way to tackle poverty and support families.
'The Child Poverty Accord gives substance to our commitment to work together to improve the lives of the most vulnerable in our society.'
Notes to editors
- The Child Poverty Accord is a commitment by the Department for Work and Pensions, Department for Education and Skills, HM Treasury, HM Revenue and Customs, and the Local Government Association to meet regularly to discuss child poverty.
- Today's (11th July) forum at the Royal Horticultural Halls was the third event of the Child Poverty Accord.
- The Government is committed to halving child poverty by 2010 and eradicating it by 2020.
- By 2003-04 there were over half a million fewer children in relative low-income households compared to 1998-9.
- The number of children living in workless households has fallen by almost 300,000.
- For further information on the Government's 20-year disability strategy go to: http://www.strategy.gov.uk/downloads/work_areas/disability/disability_report/index.htm
For further media enquiries please contact Jamie Pike or Vicki Kennedy on 020 7238 0725.
Press office: 020 7238 0725
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171
Textphone: 020 7238 0788