CHILD LOCK - LASTING CHANGE FOR CHILDREN, LOCKED IN.
IT'S TIME FOR A CHILD LOCK
In the UK the number of children living in poverty is rising: a staggering 4.5 million, or 9 in every classroom of 30.
With the price of many essentials going up, families are left struggling more and more to make ends meet. Parents are doing everything they can but if the UK government doesn’t step up and do its bit as well children will still be going to school hungry, struggling to concentrate.
IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE LIKE THIS
We need to see choices being made that put children first
It’s time for the UK government to listen to children and their families and make choices to build a society that values its children, investing in their present and their future.
We need investment in children ‘locked in’
The pensions triple lock has helped to move millions of older people out of poverty by making sure their pensions keep up with rising costs. Now Save the Children is calling on the UK government to give children the same support their grandparents get by ‘locking’ investment across all aspects of children’s lives.
NO LIMITS TO CHILDHOOD
Child poverty is increasing under the current UK government. The number of children living in poverty has risen to a record 4.5 million, making this the first Labour government in history to oversee a rise in child poverty. Analysis shows levels are set to rise to almost 5 million children in poverty by 2030.*
We urge the UK government to invest more in children over the course of the current Parliament. Their essential first steps should be to:
- scrap the two-child limit on benefits and the benefits cap – ending these policies would lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty overnight
- introduce a Child Lock, a mechanism by which children’s benefits increase in line with average wage growth or inflation, whichever is higher – implementing this change would benefit 93% of children and their families
We want the UK government to make these changes in their Comprehensive Spending Review in June 2025. As part of our 'No Limits to Childhood' campaign, we will publish a series of briefings throughout May on the various elements that make up sound investment in children: social security, employment support, housing, childcare & early years, education, and local support services.
Child poverty is not an inevitability; it is a consequence of political choices. The UK Government can lift children out of poverty, unlock their potential, and create a fairer, stronger society with no limits to childhood.
WHAT WE'RE CALLING FOR
THE UK GOVERNMENT CAN REDUCE CHILD POVERTY AND CREATE LASTING CHANGE FOR CHILDREN BY:
Supporting through social security
We’re calling for a ‘child lock’ that would benefit all children by ensuring that children’s social security payments – like Universal Credit and Child Benefit – increase by whichever is higher of earnings or inflation.
Investing across government
We are also asking the UK government to lock in investment for children in education, housing and children’s mental health services, so that children have the support around them to achieve whatever they want to achieve.
Acting now so no child has to wait to get the help they need
When the cost-of-living crisis hits families hard, children can’t and shouldn’t be expected to deal with empty plates and empty stomachs while waiting for a plan to be made. That’s why we’re calling for policies like the unfair two-child limit to be scrapped.
AN INVESTMENT IN ALL OF US
WHEN CHILDREN MISS OUT, WE ALL LOSE
Getting the right support in one area of life can lead to positive outcomes in other areas too. A child lock would be an investment not just in our children, but in our families, homes and communities. Imagine the difference that would make to our society – now and for generations to come.
Here’s what the young people and parents who helped shape our child lock recommendations have to say:
WE NEED CHANGE NOW
We’re asking for investment in children across the UK government. Here are the reports that outline the changes we want to see in different areas of children’s lives:
Child lock: How the UK government should lock in lasting change for children
Child lock: a child lock in education
A Dual Crisis: The hidden link between poverty and children's mental health
The homes that children deserve: Housing policy to support families
YOUTH PARTICIPATION
This campaign is guided by the voices of children and young people. For a summary of the initial focus groups, see the report:
How to get involved
DO YOU AGREE THE UK GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO TAKE MORE ACTION TO END UK CHILD POVERTY?
Add your name to let them know you think action is needed now.
WANT TO HEAR MORE?
Sign up to Save The Children UK’s mailing list to make sure you get the latest news about this work and how to get involved.
You might also be interested in
Supporting children
in poverty
Don't let poverty hold
children back
Child lock - initial
briefing