Today, we attended a roundtable at the HoL hosted by Baroness Ruth Lister on the subject of the Child Poverty Strategy. CR participants, inc. Jo & Brian, delivered powerful testimonies, using the space to push for an ambitious Strategy that genuinely confronts the root causes of child poverty. ✊

Jonny Roberts says that it is impossible to overstate how totemic the forthcoming child poverty strategy is for families on a low-income like him. They need to see that this government is on their side, & they're waiting patiently for the government to demonstrate this

On Thursday, parents from @changing_r met with @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social to discuss the forthcoming Schools White Paper www.changingrealities.org/writings/wha...

Yesterday, Changing Realities parents sat around the table with the First Minister, John Swinney, and Cabinet Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville, for vital discussions about the Scottish Government’s Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan.

How will the promise to make sure “every child has the chance to thrive” be realised? Especially when there was nothing in this spending review on ending the two-child benefit limit or providing support for families in poverty through investing in social security
Jonny Roberts in @theguardian.com

'Six months is a long time in the life of a child growing up in poverty'.

Dan C welcomes the extension of free school meals, but is concerned about the delays to the publication of the Child Poverty Strategy

Katie S responds to the FSM announcement:

'Free school meals in September 2026 will potentially save me £6 per day. That's £30 a week and will be a huge saving.'

Ollie U responds to the FSM extension:

'This policy is a positive step towards addressing child poverty, but I hope it's just the beginning of broader support for families in

Yesterday, @bphillipsonmp.bsky.social announced an expansion of Free School Meals to all those on Universal Credit in England.

Today, we share responses from parents.

'I am constantly falling behind on topping up my son's school lunch account & it seems to cost a fortune'

[🧵 pls read & share]

As Jonny puts it in his foreword:

Cindy sums up the problems so many face well:

Just before the end of last year, we stepped inside Downing Street to tell ministers what really needs to be done to tackle child poverty. Real voices. Real issues. Real change. Read and share our priorities: changingrealities.org/priorities
#HopeStartsHere #ChangingRealities

"The amount of obstacles I have had to face, like the lack of flexible work in every job sector, is a huge barrier, especially if you are trying to work around fixed childcare hours."

Read Libby N's response to the #AutumnStatement2023

changingrealities.org/blog/systemi...