“A Fair Go for all Children” puts a compelling case for more action

The New Zealand Council of Christian Social Services (NZCCSS) is challenging all political parties to respond to the latest report from the Children’s Commissioner and Barnardos on child poverty – A Fair Go for All Children.

“We commend this report for the emphasis it places on seeking a high-level commitment to the elimination of child poverty in Aoteaora New Zealand,” says Trevor McGlinchey, NZCCSS Executive Officer.

“As this report again confirms, it is the children living in benefit-dependent families who are experiencing the most significant hardship”.

“The data presented in the report shows that the buying power of beneficiaries has never recovered from the benefit cuts of 1991 and that benefit levels are currently too low to provide an adequate safety net for many children. We fully support its conclusion that raising core benefit rates should be the first step to ending child poverty and that this could begin by raising benefits in line with the tax cuts for working families due on October 1”.

“The plight of impoverished families with dependent children has long been a concern of our members,” says Trevor McGlinchey.

“As stated in this latest report we all have a stake in making sure that children have the best possible start in life. This was the first concern we chose to raise in our social justice programme, Aroha tētahi ki tētahi - Let Us Look After Each Other”.

“This year we have called for more action to treasure our children in material we have distributed to all Anglican, Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian and Salvation Army churches in New Zealand. Later this month we will continue our call for more action by releasing a set of fact sheets about poverty and will make these available on our website at www.justiceandcompassion.org.nz.”

“What will it take to bring about change? As pointed out in this report, broad agreement is needed across the political spectrum for any long-term strategy to succeed, as well as support from community and business sectors”.

ENDS

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