'Their childhoods and life chances depend on it' 

Children's charity Action for Children is encouraging people to sign a letter asking the UK Government to take urgent, targeted action to help the poorest families during the cost of living crisis. 

Frontline staff at the charity have reported that child poverty levels are at 'the worst they can remember'.

As a result, the charity has written an open letter calling for more support. 

'Following cuts to Universal Credit, soaring energy bills and prices rising at their fastest rate in 30 years, low-income families are enduring a miserable time,' it states.

'Our frontline staff have told us that child poverty levels are at the worst they can remember, leading to increased risks of physical and mental health problems in children and long-term harm to their development and life chances.

'Before this crisis becomes a catastrophe, ministers need to take urgent targeted action for these families.

'Join us, add your name to our letter.'

The letter calls on the government to urgently support low-income families by:

• Restoring benefits to a decent level. If the cost of living goes up, benefits should reflect this.
• Increasing the child element of Universal Credit to help lift children out of poverty.
• Delivering a serious and cross-government strategy to tackle child poverty and making it a key part of the government’s plans for levelling up.

'Lifting children – and their families – out of poverty is the best way to protect families and the taxpayer from the high costs of poverty,' the letter continues.

'Nobody needs levelling up to work more than the children across the UK with whom Action for Children works. Their childhoods and life chances depend on it. We urge you to make the right decision.

'Thank you.'

The letter can be found here.

Action for Children protects and supports children and young people, providing practical and emotional care and support, and ensuring their voices are heard

It has a close partnership with the Methodist Church, and give reports to The Methodist Conference