"Health and social inequalities will only continue to widen if the government fails to tackle poverty's root causes," says BPS

The Child Poverty Action Group has published a new report Building Blocks: How to deliver a child poverty strategy. Within it, it outlines how the government can deliver an effective child poverty strategy, which is set to be published later this year.

Commenting on the report, Julia Faulconbridge, from the BPS's Division of Clinical Psychology said: 

"We agree with the report's recommendation that long-term investment in social security is one of the most effective tools to tackle child poverty. 

"The negative psychological impact on those that live in poverty has far reaching consequences. Disadvantaged children are estimated to be over four months behind their more advantaged peers when starting school at age five. While children growing up in poverty are four to five times more likely to develop mental health problems. 

"The government must take note of this report's recommendations and take a long-term view. Health and social inequalities will only continue to widen if the government fails to tackle poverty's root causes. Investment in preventative services to help lift people out of poverty would be the ideal place to start."