SEASONAL GRANTS FOR CHILDREN IN FAMILIES WITH LOW INCOME

That this House notes with concern that 3.4 million children in the UK currently live in poverty; urges the Government to do more to ensure that it meets its target to eradicate child poverty in the UK by 2020; further notes with concern that the Social Fund is proving inadequate for the needs of the poorest families, both in terms of access and flexibility, leaving many families under acute financial pressure in the summer holidays and winter months when costs are greatest; and welcomes Save the Children's campaign, which calls on the Government to commit to additional funding in the forthcoming Comprehensive Spending Review to introduce seasonal grants in summer and winter for children in families with low incomes to help lift thousands of children out of poverty.