Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Liz Kendall and Tracy Gilbert

Monday 11th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Tracy Gilbert (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab)]

6. What recent estimate she has made of the level of child poverty in Edinburgh North and Leith constituency.

[The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Liz Kendall)]

This morning the nation fell silent to pay tribute to all those who have served and continue to serve in our armed forces, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Today we honour and remember them. I quote the words inscribed on Lutyens’ beautiful Arch of Remembrance in Leicester from the hymn “O Valiant Hearts”:

“All they hoped for, all they had, they gave to save mankind—themselves they scorned to save”.

Some 4.3 million children are growing up in poverty—700,000 more than in 2010. That is why the work of our cross-Government child poverty taskforce is so urgent, and why we will use all levers available to increase family incomes, reduce family costs and give every child the best start in life.

--- Later in debate ---

[Tracy Gilbert]

Previous Labour Governments have tackled not only poverty but its root causes. Can my right hon. Friend outline how the child poverty taskforce will identify and tackle the root causes of poverty in my constituency and across the UK, to ensure a permanent end to child poverty?

[Liz Kendall]

I am sure that, like me, my hon. Friend thinks that it is unacceptable that an estimated one in six children in her constituency is growing up poor. We have taken immediate action to help the poorest families in Scotland through our fair repayment rate, which will benefit 110,000 households in Scotland. We are tackling the root causes of poverty with our reforms to make work pay, tackle exploitative zero-hours contracts and create more good-quality jobs in every part of the country.