The need

Child poverty has reached a 20-year high. The latest government statistics in March 2025 show an estimated 100,000 more children have been pulled into poverty. This brings the total to 4.5 million (31%) of the UK’s children. Going to school hungry, or coming home to a damp,overcrowded bedroom is the reality for many children in poverty. We know poverty harms children's health, social and emotional well-being, education, and damages their future opportunities.

‘[It] feels like I’m left out of the fun that happens and stuff. Like it just makes me feel empty.’ Gideon, age 14

Although inflation has eased, many everyday costs remain high. Struggling families are continually making difficult decisions to make ends meet, often cutting most of their budget, while still barely affording basic necessities. Families living in poverty are at breaking point.

About Us

Established in 1965, Child Poverty Action Group works on behalf of the almost one in three children in the UK growing up in poverty. We work to understand what causes poverty, its impact on children’s lives, and how it can be prevented and solved, permanently. We work nationally and have expertise across subject areas crucial in the fight against child poverty, including social security, education, and childcare. We have a significant track record and in the past, worked collaboratively to lift a million children out of poverty.

Our recent succeses include:

• After more than ten years of campaigning, the UK government scrapped the harmful two-child limit, meaning from April 2026, 350,000 children will be lifted out of poverty, and 750,000 children will be in less deep poverty.
• CPAG also persuaded the Scottish government to commit to the introduction of free school meals and then the UK government to introduce them for all children in England on Universal Credit from September 2026.
• In 2025, pressure from CPAG and other organisations resulted in the UK government publishing a cross-government child poverty strategy which we advised on.
• Securing increases to the value of the Scottish Child Payment, contributing to a 4%-point reduction in child poverty in Scotland in 2023/24.