The former Labour Prime Minister says children now face worse hardship than pensioners
Gordon Brown hopes his Multibank network will help families struggling to make ends meet. The former PM with Beth Major, CEO of the Junction and Liza Evans at the opening of the Junction Multibank in Middlesbrough
This warehouse is so well stocked that it would embarrass most supermarkets. It will serve as a donation hub for low-income people, particularly families with children. It has the backing of local councils: Stockton-on-Tees, Redcar and Cleveland, and Hartlepool. When Brown retired from parliamentary politics after serving not only as Prime Minister but also as the most formidable and longest-serving Chancellor Britain has had since ordinary people were granted the vote, child poverty was falling.
Brown notes that this is “going to happen in a few months” under the new Labour Government but, he says firmly, “In the meantime, you can’t let children suffer. You’ve got to do something about it.” The number is estimated to be even higher in Tees Valley with Middlesbrough seeing the highest rate, with almost half of children in poverty.
Since he left office, Brown has rarely entered the national political conversation. He has preferred to publish: occasional opinion articles and books, a memoir, reflections on the 2008 financial crash and a blueprint for social and economic change. But, you won’t find him regularly giving TV or radio interviews and, certainly not returning to public political life Lord Cameron-style.
The Conservatives scrapped both the EMA and the grant under Chancellor George Osborne. They also introduced the two-child benefit limit, decreed that households would lose child tax credits once they earned more than £50,000 and introduced a benefit cap which limits the amount of state support families can claim. The impact of the cap has particularly been felt by people living in areas where rents are high.
But, in the meantime, he hopes that donation hubs can “bridge the gap between what people have at the moment and what they need, particularly in the run-up to Christmas.” However, Brown knows that this is critical triage and not a cure. That since Labour was last in government, charities have taken on the state’s role as our country’s basic safety net.
Deutschland Neuesten Nachrichten, Deutschland Schlagzeilen
Similar News:Sie können auch ähnliche Nachrichten wie diese lesen, die wir aus anderen Nachrichtenquellen gesammelt haben.
Gordon Brown: Two-child benefit cap is trapping families in povertyIn a rare intervention, the former Labour Prime Minister challenged the Government's decision to maintain the two-child limit and benefits cap
Weiterlesen »
BRYONY GORDON: The side-effect of giving up booze no one tells you aboutWhen I decided to stop drinking in 2017, it was considered a very odd thing to do. Odd enough that I considered going out in a T-shirt that said, 'No I'm not pregnant, just an alcoholic'.
Weiterlesen »
Lianne Gordon: Teen guilty of shooting mum through front doorLianne Gordon was trying to protect her children from gang violence when she was killed in her home.
Weiterlesen »
Liam Gordon red card in Celtic clash 'so harsh', says Motherwell bossThe defender will miss the next two league games for the Steelmen
Weiterlesen »
Stuart Kettlewell clamped over Celtic red card fury as Motherwell appeal floatedThe boss felt that Liam Gordon was harshly treated for the challenge on Adam Idah
Weiterlesen »
Castle Douglas and District Angling Association's annual river competitionThe winner of the competition was Gordon (Granny) Turner who achieved a River McNab.
Weiterlesen »