Keir Starmer launches major plan to lift 550,000 kids out of poverty by 2030 - 'moral mission' - The Mirror

Keir Starmer writes for The Mirror as the government launches its long-awaited child poverty strategy to lift over half a million kids out of poverty by the end of the decade

Keir Starmer has declared Labour's "moral mission" is to fight child poverty as he launches a major blueprint to lift over half a million kids out of poverty by 2030.

Writing for The Mirror, the Prime Minister said no child should be forced to sleep in cold bedrooms, skip meals, or wear worn-out uniforms for school. Mr Starmer said it was "absolute disgrace" the Tories left office with a record 4.45million kids living in poverty.

It comes as the government publishes its long-awaited child poverty strategy on Friday aimed at lifting 550,000 children out of poverty by the end of the decade. This includes 450,000 from scrapping the cruel two-child benefit limit - a move announced at last week's Budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and celebrated by charities campaigning against poverty. No10 said it would be the biggest reduction in child poverty in a single Parliament since records began.

Mr Starmer said: "This is Labour ’s ultimate cause – our moral mission. We tackled it under the last Labour Government. And my Government will do the same."

Among new measures being unveiled include a childcare boost for families on Universal Credit. The government said from 2026 rules will change to make it easier for parents in receipt of the benefit to get back to work by extending eligibility for upfront childcare costs to those returning from parental leave. Downing Street said those starting or returning to the workforce can struggle to cover upfront fees before they receive their first payslip.

The government will also end the "unlawful placement" of families being forced to stay in Bed and Breakfasts beyond the six week limit with an £8million emergency fund. Official government figures released earlier this year showed a record 172,420 kids living in temporary accommodation, including 3,340 households with children living in B&Bs.

By law, such accommodation is meant to be used only as temporary accommodation in an emergency and for no longer than six weeks. Councils will also have a legal duty to notify schools, health visitors and GPs when a child is placed in temporary accommodation. The Government said it will work with the NHS to "end the practice of mothers with newborns being discharged to B&Bs or other forms of unsuitable housing".

Last week Ms Reeves also said Labour would reverse the Tory-era two-child benefit limit at a cost of £3billion. The government described this as a "failed policy experiment that punished children" and has been one of the biggest drivers of hardship since its introduction in 2017.

The policy, which restricted Child Tax Credits and Universal Credit to the first two children in a family, was ushered in by austerity Chancellor George Osborne. Downing Street said the measures, including previously announced policies such as extending free school meals, will lift a total of 550,000 kids out of poverty.

Mr Starmer, who will visit a children's centre in Wales on Friday to meet families who will benefit, added: "People will tell you politics doesn’t make a difference. But the difference on child poverty could not be clearer. Tory Governments let it rise. Labour Governments cut it."

The child poverty strategy taskforce was launched shortly after Labour took office in the summer of 2024 to tackle the record numbers of kids in poverty. There are around 4.45million children in relative poverty after housing costs. This means they live in a household with an income below 60% of the national average income. No10 said there are also around two million children in "deep material poverty" meaning they are going out without essentials such as three meals a day or a damp-free home.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, co-chair of the child poverty task force along with DWP Secretary Pat McFadden, said: “Child poverty is a stain on our country. I’ve seen the damage poverty does first hand, and bearing down on it sits at the very core of this government’s mission.

“This strategy, lifting over half a million children out of poverty, represents an historic moment for generations of families now and into the future."

Katie Schmuecker of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said the government has "put its money where its mouth is on the manifesto commitment to reducing child poverty". Alison Garnham, chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, welcomed the decision to finally scrap the two-child benefit limit.

She added: "Much like the expansion of free school meals, it will improve the lives of children up and down the country. And with record high levels of child poverty in the UK we welcome the government's recognition that publication of the strategy is only the first step. There is much to do and we must now build on this momentum to achieve more tangible change for children.”

But Big Issue founder Lord John Bird said the strategy was lacking in "ambitious targets". The crossbench peer, who experienced poverty as a child, said: "The absence of ambitious targets to propel forward this government's mission to reduce child poverty is deeply concerning."