Downturn will wipe out Labour's anti-poverty gains
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The economic downturn threatens to wipe out a decade of Labour attempts to tackle poverty, researchers will warn today. The recession could eliminate gains in employment levels within a year and send targets for tackling child poverty "out of the window," they said.
The authors of the report published today by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation said the Government's efforts to get the jobless into work could flounder if there are no vacancies to fill.
The foundation's 10-year study of the Government's anti-poverty drive will be published as ministers press ahead with plans to force "virtually everyone" on benefits to work or join training courses in return for their payments.
James Purnell, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, will outline reforms in a White Paper due later this week which will include moves to force people with disabilities or long-term illnesses to seek training or work experience and to make single mothers with children as young as one take the first steps back into the world of work.
But with some estimates showing unemployment rising as high as 3.5 million, researchers warned that efforts to cut poverty would be undermined.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments