Little Village baby bank statement on Autumn Budget 2024: Urgent Action Still Needed to Tackle Child Poverty Crisis

Following the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget announcement, Little Village, London’s leading baby bank network, is deeply concerned that the measures announced fail to adequately address the urgent challenges facing families and children living in poverty across the capital.

Sophie Livingstone MBE, CEO of Little Village, said:

“Today’s budget has fallen short in tackling child poverty. Although welcome, measures such as increased investment in breakfast clubs, are baby steps – instead of the big and urgent strides we need.

“Every day we see families who simply can’t afford the essentials such as winter clothes, fresh nappies, a Moses basket and with the cold weather upon us, the daily juggle is getting worse. Spring is a long time to wait for the Child Poverty Strategy.”

With families across London struggling to meet their children’s basic needs, the absence of targeted measures risks leaving vulnerable children without critical support. A dedicated strategy that guarantees increased access to affordable childcare and enhanced child benefits is essential to lift families out of poverty.

We will continue to support the work of others including the End Child Poverty Coalition, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, Trussell Trust and the Early Education and Childcare Coalition in urging the government to:

• Abolish the two-child limit – so that there’s money to support all the children in the family
• Introduce an Essentials Guarantee into Universal Credit – so that the basic rate will at least cover the essentials
• Guarantee affordable childcare – so that all families have access to affordable, high-quality childcare provision