Ending Child Poverty in the United Kingdom – Lessons from New Labour’s Strategy
Abstract
In 1999 then British Prime Minister Tony Blair committed his Government to a “mission to eradicate child poverty within a generation.” Between 1999 and 2010 the number of British children living in “relative” poverty fell from 3.4 to 2.6 million and some 2 million children had moved out of “absolute” poverty. This article considers how child poverty was measured and progress tracked in the UK. It also reviews the design, delivery, and impacts of some of the key policies through which the strategy was pursued, including welfare to work and “make work pay” programs, increased financial support for low income families, and investments and improvements in early years provision for disadvantaged children. Finally, the article reflects on some lessons of relevance to those advocating child poverty reduction strategies in other countries. En 1999, le premier ministre britannique de l'époque, Tony Blair, s'est engagé avec son gouvernement à éradiquer la pauvreté infantile en l'espace d'une génération. Entre 1999 et 2010, le nombre d'enfants britanniques vivant dans une pauvreté « relative » est passé de 3,4 à 2,6 millions et quelque 2 millions d'enfants sont sortis de la pauvreté « absolue ». Cet article examine comment la pauvreté infantile a été mesurée et comment les progrès ont été suivis au Royaume-Uni. Il étudie également la conception, l'application et l’incidence de certaines politiques clés mises en œuvre, notamment le passage de l'aide sociale au travail, des programmes de « valorisation du travail », l’augmentation du soutien financier accordé aux familles à faible revenu, ainsi que les investissements dans les programmes de la petite enfance destinés aux enfants défavorisés et les améliorations qui y ont été apportées. Enfin, cet article ouvre des pistes de réflexion dont peuvent s'inspirer les défenseurs des stratégies de réduction de la pauvreté infantile d'autres pays. En 1999, le premier ministre britannique de l'époque, Tony Blair, s'est engagé avec son gouvernement à éradiquer la pauvreté infantile en l'espace d'une génération. Entre 1999 et 2010, le nombre d'enfants britanniques vivant dans une pauvreté « relative » est passé de 3,4 à 2,6 millions et quelque 2 millions d'enfants sont sortis de la pauvreté « absolue ». Cet article examine comment la pauvreté infantile a été mesurée et comment les progrès ont été suivis au Royaume-Uni. Il étudie également la conception, l'application et l’incidence de certaines politiques clés mises en œuvre, notamment le passage de l'aide sociale au travail, des programmes de « valorisation du travail », l’augmentation du soutien financier accordé aux familles à faible revenu, ainsi que les investissements dans les programmes de la petite enfance destinés aux enfants défavorisés et les améliorations qui y ont été apportées. Enfin, cet article ouvre des pistes de réflexion dont peuvent s'inspirer les défenseurs des stratégies de réduction de la pauvreté infantile d'autres pays.
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