Overview

The Child Poverty Act 2010 set targets for reducing child poverty in the UK, established a Child Poverty Commission to advise on strategies, and mandated cooperation among local authorities and other bodies in England to tackle child poverty at a local level. It also made changes to free school meals eligibility.

Description

The Act established four national targets for reducing child poverty by a specified year (the "target year," initially 2020): relative low income, combined low income and material deprivation, absolute low income, and persistent poverty. These targets used various metrics based on household income relative to the median and the experience of material deprivation. The Secretary of State was responsible for meeting these targets and publishing strategies and reports to Parliament. The act also established the Child Poverty Commission to advise the Secretary of State and devolved administrations on these strategies. Local authorities in England were given responsibilities to assess local child poverty needs, develop local strategies, and cooperate with other bodies to reduce child poverty. The act amended the Education Act 1996 to expand eligibility for free school meals.

Government Spending

The Act did not specify particular spending figures, but it implied increased government spending due to the required strategies, research, and the establishment and operation of the Child Poverty Commission. The impact on overall government spending would depend on the specific measures adopted to achieve the targets.

Groups Affected

• Children: The primary beneficiaries (or intended beneficiaries) of the Act, aiming to reduce their experience of poverty.
• Parents: Potentially affected through employment support, financial aid, parenting skills programs, and other initiatives.
• Local Authorities (England): Mandated to assess local needs, develop and implement strategies, and collaborate with partner authorities.
• Other bodies (England): Including police authorities, health authorities, and others, were involved in the local efforts to reduce child poverty.
• Secretary of State: Responsible for setting and monitoring national targets, publishing strategies and reports, and overseeing the Child Poverty Commission.
• Devolved Administrations (Scotland and Northern Ireland): Had responsibilities to develop and implement their own strategies aligned with national targets.
• Schools: Changes to free school meal eligibility broadened the number of children who qualified.

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