BPS welcomes new government taskforce to tackle child poverty
The BPS welcomes new ministerial taskforce which will work on the government's Child Poverty Strategy.
17 July 2024
Responding to the news that the government is launching a new taskforce to combat child poverty, chartered member of the British Psychological Society Julia Faulconbridge said:
"The introduction of this taskforce is welcome news. The negative psychological impact on those that live in poverty should not be underestimated. We know that children growing up in poverty are four to five times more likely to develop mental health problems. While disadvantaged children are estimated to be over four months behind their more advantaged peers when starting school at age five.
"The new government must take a long-term view and invest in preventative services to help lift people out of poverty. If government fails to tackle poverty's root causes, health and social inequalities will only continue to widen."