Tackling Child Poverty 2023
Online Conference 23 May 2023, 9:00am - 2:45pm
9:00am
Online Registration
9:30am
Chair’s Welcome Address
9:40am
Keynote Address: ‘Ending child poverty is possible, but it requires bold and radical action.’
- Ending child poverty across Scotland will require bold and radical action – the SNP are willing to tackle this issue head on. By eradicating childhood poverty we will be able to work towards a society that is fairer and more dignified for all.
- We have already made huge strides through the Scottish Child Payment, free school meals, the baby box and the Best Start Grants – these game changing policies have changed the lives of thousands of children across Scotland. These policies have also received wide ranging praise from think tanks and charities.
- Children and young people across Scotland deserve the best possible start in life – where living in Scotland means living in a country that is the best place in the world to grow up.
David Linden MP, Member of Parliament for Glasgow East and Chair of the APPG for Poverty
10:00am
Young People's Experiences of 'Surviving Estrangement'
- An overview of Buttle UK's report on 'Surviving Estrangement' led by young people that are estranged from their families.
- The experience of estrangement
- How financial difficulties affect families
- The effect of estrangement on housing and its impact on education
- Support from Universal Credit
Introduced by Joseph Howes, CEO of Buttle UK and led by two of the young people that produced the 'Surviving Estrangement' report.
10:20am
Keynote Address: Implementing A National Strategy To Alleviate Child Poverty
- 4.2 million children are growing up in poverty in the UK, and numbers are set to rise in coming years unless action is taken
- Despite this challenging context, there is an opportunity to build widespread support for action which will reduce poverty and help children thrive
- We can learn lessons from Marcus Rashford’s campaigning on holiday hunger to the campaign to keep the Universal Credit Lifeline; and from grassroots community action to parent-powered advocacy on childcare
- This keynote speech will set out core principles for a new national strategy for child poverty which can deliver a sustainable reduction in child poverty over the rest of this decade
Dan Paskins, Director of UK Impact, Save the Children
10:40am
Question And Answer Session
11:00am
Break and Networking
11:30am
Addressing Child Poverty In the North East of England
- Discover how charities and local organisations in the region are planning to combat child poverty through various initiatives
- Listen to examples of successful initiatives and their impact on reducing child poverty
- Understand the importance of collaboration between local organisations and government to address child poverty effectively
Jo Unthank, Senior Programme Manager (Child Poverty Prevention), North of Tyne Combined Authority
11:50am
Too Hungry to Learn: the Impact and Opportunity for Breakfast
Dr Lindsey MacDonald, CEO, Magic Breakfast
12:10pm
Questions And Answers Session
12:40pm
Lunch And Networking
1:40pm
Next Steps For Tackling Child Poverty In The UK
- Debate the sustainability of the current situation and the direction of tackling child poverty in the UK, and identify areas that need improvement and attention
- Discuss the next steps required to tackle child poverty in the UK, including access to education, and priorities for policy and support
- Explore the recommendations from the Crisis on our Doorstep
Ali Cooper, Policy and Public Affairs Adviser (Child Poverty), Barnardo's
2:00pm
The Role of Paid Work in Tackling Child Poverty
Sophie Howes, Head of Policy, Child Poverty Action Group
2:20pm
Questions And Answers Session
2:40pm
Chair’s Summary And Close
*Programme Subject to Change