UK Poverty Efforts Set a Good Example

by Reggie Oldak, Senior Counsel
National Women's Law Center

The Center for American Progress has a task force on poverty with the goal of cutting poverty in half in 10 years.  In the United Kingdom, they’re way ahead of us.

Tackling child poverty (and, by extension, poverty among single mothers) is high on the agenda in the UK. Almost ten years ago, the UK committed to ending child poverty by 2020. They encourage work for those who can work, and provide security for those who can’t. The national goal focused the attention of people in and out of government, and the goal itself is credited for the UK’s dramatic progress. Between 1998 and 2005, the number of children in poverty fell by 600,000 in the UK – using the UK’s measure of relative poverty. By US measures, child poverty in the UK fell even more. 

The UK directly invests in financial support for families, beginning with statutory maternity pay for nine months. Yes, they pay mothers after the birth of a child, with no limit to the number of children.  Then, they make work possible with a significant investment in childcare – including a commitment to both a Children’s Centre (child care) in every community and wrap around day care in every school by 2010 – and they make work pay – with a national minimum wage that is higher than ours and tax credits for workers. To top it all off, they have instituted improved work/life balance measures, including the right to request flexible work schedules for parents with children under 6. 

This month’s economic crisis highlights the challenges facing all Americans. I spent 3 hours in the emergency room a few days ago – five stitches and a “be more careful” for my handyman husband.  With nothing else to do, I eavesdropped on the patients on either side. The doctor asked each one what kind of work she did.  “I clean houses, but I can’t work with this pain.”  “No, I don’t have insurance.”  “I was working at the factory, but I’ve been laid off.”  “I’m looking for a job.”

Congress is talking about an economic recovery package that will expand unemployment insurance, help states, and increase spending on infrastructure. These are baby steps. Let’s hope we get this far, at least.

For more information about the issues facing single mothers in the UK and the policy solutions mentioned here, visit One Parent Families/Gingerbread, the largest UK charity for single parent families.