'Children must be at the heart of our nation's recovery plan' - ACTION FOR CHILDREN RESPONDS TO THE CHANCELLOR’S MINI-BUDGET

ACTION FOR CHILDREN RESPONDS TO THE CHANCELLOR’S MINI-BUDGET:
Children must be at the heart of our nation’s recovery plan

Action for Children’s director of policy and campaigns, Imran Hussain, said:
“The Chancellor announced a big package of support on jobs and businesses but if the Government’s response to the coronavirus does not prioritise children alongside health and the economy, it will create long term damage to public finances, as well as to a generation of youngsters. Children are now facing unprecedented threats to their childhoods and futures. The longer we wait to help them, the bigger the problem that will need fixing and the greater the harm to our children, our skills base and to our economy.

“Our frontline staff tell us that families are struggling to deal with the daily disruption to life caused by the crisis - all while services protecting children are at breaking point, school budgets under pressure and job losses soaring.

“As we face the Coronavirus economic storm, children must be at the heart of our nation’s recovery plan. We urge the Government to shore up family budgets and protect the most vulnerable children, including those with disabilities, mental health difficulties, children who have suffered abuse and those from minority communities.

“Investing in children is best way to help the country back on its feet and a pre-requisite for levelling up the country to ensure all our children have a fighting chance of a safe and happy childhood.”