Politics

John Bird warns Labour it must urgently tackle child poverty to halt political fallout

Tuesday, 13 May 2025 12:14AM UTC

John Bird, co-founder of the Big Issue and crossbench peer, has called on Labour to adopt legally binding targets to reduce child poverty in the UK, highlighting the growing crisis and voter disillusionment feeding the rise of opposition parties.

John Bird, the co-founder of the Big Issue and a crossbench peer, has issued a stark warning: the Labour party must urgently address the UK's soaring child poverty crisis if it hopes to stave off the growing discontent that is fueling the rise of opposition parties. Bird points out that the recent ascent of alternative political movements is a troubling sign of the established parties’ failure to connect with the electorate, particularly on critical issues like child poverty.

In a recent statement, Bird highlighted the inadequacies of Labour's approach, suggesting that "this government, like those who came before, has lost the trust of its supporters by muddling through." His remarks reflect a society grappling with urgency for substantial reform. With around 4.5 million children currently living in poverty in the UK—a figure that has risen by 100,000 in just a year—it is evident that Labour’s current stance is insufficient, and the call for more effective solutions is growing louder.

Bird’s proposed amendment to the children’s wellbeing and schools bill seeks to create legally binding targets for child poverty reduction. This legislative change would compel any governing body to be accountable for meeting specific goals, pressing the government to take the matter seriously. He stated, “It would hold this government’s feet to the fire” and reiterated the necessity for long-term preventive measures to tackle the needs of millions of affected children.

Recent reports have painted a bleak scenario regarding child poverty in the UK. Data reveal that over one-third of children—approximately 5.2 million—are living in poverty, a record high not seen since before the Covid-19 pandemic. The Social Metrics Commission further underscores this crisis, revealing that 16 million people, including 5.2 million children, reside in poverty-stricken homes. This staggering statistic translates to nearly one in four individuals in the UK, highlighting the urgency for systemic change.

The ongoing discussion around the two-child benefit cap, a policy widely recognised as a significant factor in increasing child poverty, adds urgency to Bird’s reformist calls. Research links the cap to higher local child poverty rates, reinforcing the argument for its abolition as a necessary step to mitigate the widening gulf of child deprivation.

In response to these distressing circumstances, over 120 organisations have banded together to push for a complete overhaul of the benefits system. Their recommendations include introducing mental health support teams in schools and expanding access to free school meals for all children in families receiving universal credit. These measures aim to confront both poverty and the concerning rise in associated mental health issues among youth.

The issue of child poverty transcends mere politics; it has emerged as an urgent moral challenge. As Bird points out, there is a glaring discord between political promises and actual progress. Anna Feuchtwang, CEO of the National Children’s Bureau, supports Bird’s amendment, asserting that “legally binding targets to reduce child poverty will help turn political rhetoric into tangible change in people's lives."

Polling data emphasizes this growing dissatisfaction, with 72% of Britons believing that Labour must intensify its efforts to combat poverty—an alarming increase of 18% in just six months. The public is calling for concrete, actionable commitments from political leaders ahead of looming elections.

As discussions surrounding the schools bill unfold in the House of Lords, the necessity for urgent action to enhance child welfare and education cannot be overstated. The government stands at a crossroads: either fulfill its manifesto promises and genuinely tackle the escalating child poverty rates or face an increasingly disillusioned electorate that may turn to alternative parties offering viable solutions.

As public sentiment continues to shift and the stakes rise, the window for transformative reform remains open—but only if Labour can decisively confront the child poverty crisis and prioritize the needs of millions in the UK.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.inkl.com/news/labour-must-tackle-poverty-to-hold-back-reform-uk-says-big-issue-founder - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/nov/18/more-than-one-in-three-uk-children-poverty-deprivation-record-high - A report reveals that over one-third of children in the UK, approximately 5.2 million, are living in poverty, marking a record high. The study highlights a significant rise in child poverty rates, with an additional 260,000 children falling into deprivation since before the Covid pandemic. The findings underscore the urgent need for policy interventions to address the escalating issue of child poverty in the country.
https://socialmetricscommission.org.uk/social-metrics-commission-2024-report/ - The Social Metrics Commission's 2024 report provides comprehensive insights into the levels and nature of poverty in the UK. It reveals that 16 million people, including 5.2 million children, are living in families experiencing poverty, equating to nearly one in four individuals. The report emphasizes the pressing need for systemic changes to effectively address and reduce poverty across the nation.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jun/06/two-child-benefit-cap-is-a-key-driver-of-child-poverty-in-uk-research-suggests - Research indicates a strong correlation between local child poverty rates and the percentage of families affected by the two-child benefit cap in the UK. The study suggests that this policy is a significant factor contributing to child deprivation, with calls for its removal to alleviate poverty levels. The findings highlight the need for policy reforms to address the root causes of child poverty.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jul/24/overhaul-uk-benefits-to-tackle-child-poverty-charities-urge - A coalition of over 120 organizations urges the UK government to overhaul the benefits system to effectively tackle child poverty. The recommendations include introducing mental health support teams in schools, expanding free school meals to all children in households receiving universal credit, and adjusting the free school meals allowance in line with inflation. These measures aim to address the dual crises of poverty and mental health among children.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/25/next-government-urged-to-wake-up-to-uks-shocking-levels-of-child-poverty - Five major UK children's charities call for the next government to pass legislation within 100 days of the general election to eradicate child poverty. They propose a 'child lock' mechanism, similar to the pensions 'triple lock,' to ensure annual increases in financial support for parents, aiming to address the alarming levels of child poverty in the country.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/may/25/next-government-urged-to-wake-up-to-uks-shocking-levels-of-child-poverty - Five major UK children's charities call for the next government to pass legislation within 100 days of the general election to eradicate child poverty. They propose a 'child lock' mechanism, similar to the pensions 'triple lock,' to ensure annual increases in financial support for parents, aiming to address the alarming levels of child poverty in the country.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative discusses current UK child poverty statistics with figures reflecting recent data (e.g., 4.5 to 5.2 million children in poverty), and references ongoing legislative efforts such as amendments to the children's wellbeing and schools bill in the House of Lords, indicating recent developments. No indication of recycled or outdated content was found, and no past figures or roles contradicted by current information emerged.

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: Direct quotes attributed to John Bird and Anna Feuchtwang appear to be original statements related to this issue with no earlier published instances found online. Given the specificity and contemporaneity of the quotes on legislative amendments and child poverty, this suggests they are early or first public uses rather than recycled quotes.

Source reliability

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative is from inkl.com, a lesser-known news aggregator and publisher. While inkl.com provides timely news, it is not considered a top-tier globally reputed publication like BBC or Reuters. Therefore, the reliability is moderate, requiring cautious cross-reference with primary sources or more established outlets.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims about rising child poverty figures, societal concern, political reaction, and calls for binding legislation are plausible, consistent with recent UK socio-economic trends and public discourse. No extraordinary or unverifiable claims were made; the statistics cited align with recognised poverty research organisations such as the Social Metrics Commission.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative is recent and based on verifiable UK child poverty data and current legislative discussion. The direct quotes seem original and relevant. Despite moderate source reputation, the information aligns well with known facts and trends, supporting a high-confidence pass for accuracy and timeliness.

Child poverty
Labour party
UK politics
John Bird
Social policy