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Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 10:33 GMT 11:33 UK

Simple, cut taxes, and cut public spending.If people have more money in their pockets they will be better off and so lifted out of poverty.Cut business taxes and petty regulations to create more jobs.Govt spending never solved anything. Free markets do create wealth, put people in jobs and take people out of poverty. If we werent taxed to death by this medlesome socialist Govt then less people would be in poverty and that is an incontrovertable fact.Less tax equals more wealth.Let people work.

pieter van der byl, Rhodesia, United Kingdom

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 10:33 GMT 11:33 UK

Many people have told me that social workers 'will give you hell' and that they are 'no help at all'.
What I think the government should do is employ people who are SKILLED and well-trained to help these children out. They should explore the areas of this country where child poverty is really high up on the list and REALLY try to do something to help. This country has enough money to build shelters and school. Also, I think the UN should scrape in and try to help out.

Aicha A, London, England

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 10:30 GMT 11:30 UK

Another Labour promise gone down the drain like all the others. Gordon Brown promises to do better.No hope there because he also promised us a Referendum on the EU Treaty remember? Child poverty can be eased by giving all girls capable of giving birth from an early age the pill. If they become pregnant then the girls parents should provide for the upkeep of their daughters baby not the state.Sex education at school appears to be ignored considering the number of babies born to schoolgirls today.

John

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 10:26 GMT 11:26 UK

Spin, Spin, Spin. I have it to my ears from this Govt.

If the Govt created jobs, then this would halp eradicate child poverty. The public purse is empty. Thanks to govt economic policy. Taxation is on the increase, and tax receipts are down.
Where is the govt going to get the money to fund this!

This govt has put this great county in a sorry state. What a mess. They are to blame for families struggling in this economic climate. Now they want praise for fixing the mess they created.

Capt Jack Sparrow, Pluck the Crow Point, United Kingdom

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 10:11 GMT 11:11 UK

We really need to look at why people are having children if they are broke!

I wouldn't dream of having a child if I was on the dole and living hand-to-mouth. I'm not even happy about the idea of having a child whilst I rent, being subject at any time to two month's notice from my landlord. To do so, bringing a human life into a world of uncertainty and instability, would be crassly irresponsible and immoral.

[dogsolitude_uk], Norwich, United Kingdom

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 10:09 GMT 11:09 UK

Our idea of poverty is driven by material things.Being in poverty in the 50's my parents did not have 2 pence left at the end of the wk No benefits, both had to work,.My parents did not drink smoke or go out,They made sure we were brought up to respect person & property. It is the parents who need taking in hand They choose to have kids.No child benefit for more than 2 & stop blaming everyone else for your own mistakes what comes first food of the sky/tv. take responsiblity for your own lives

Lionhappygolucky Bournemouth

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 10:09 GMT 11:09 UK

I work in an area full of so called poverty we are taught to be non judgemental. Lst week a man came in he gave me a list of his wife & kids through an interpreter they had 5 kids since 2005, the woman had been pregnant every 9mths since then with 4 wks between pregnancies, she was expecting her 6th after giving birth sometime over easter. I am working hard to pay my bills & keep a roof over our heads I buy smartprice food & Im in the red every month, so dont tell me about POVERTY! Im sick of it

Anon, UK

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 10:01 GMT 11:01 UK

How about compulsory sterilization for either partner after their 6th child!!

This might work!!

OR better still stop benefits & make parents work after their 2nd child (like most responsible couples do) you will soon see a drop in child poverty!

Su, Manchester

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 09:51 GMT 10:51 UK

The key word that almost all comments here conveniently ignore is RELATIVE. In other words there are not many people without basic amenities, though in relative terms, average income, rising price of utilities, inflation, negative equity etc it all adds up that some are worse off than others doing the same job etc. I know it’s difficult for resentful taxpayers to grasp but hey ho who cares about them, equal standards of living are what are important so stop crying about it!

zed walker, lancaster

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 09:51 GMT 10:51 UK

so lets see ... people work hard to earn money.
Some people dont bother to work but expect to be given something for nothing.
Cunning ploy hit up - breed. Hold out hand for money saying 'my child is poor give me money'.
Money is taken from those people working hard to support their children (so making those children poorer) and given to the parents of 'poor' children.
Money spent on plasma tv's, sky, booze, fags, drugs ... and the child remains poor.
Some truly great logic there.

Geo, Glasgow

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 09:42 GMT 10:42 UK

Instead of looking at others and blaming, as seems to be the way of many HYS contributor's they could help children themselves.

John Lee

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 09:42 GMT 10:42 UK

Almost every goal is achievable if you throw enough borrowed money at it. So, this government should have no problem eliminating child poverty.

Gary Atkinson, Sittingbourne

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 09:18 GMT 10:18 UK

Just look around yourselves tomorrow.
How may teenage girls, pushing pushchairs, do you see?
Its a lifestyle choice!
QED
peter, Ulverston
-*-
Maybe.
But have you bothered asking kids if it was their choice or don't the count.
These are simplistic attitudes that shut the doors of conscience with weasel excuses putting money and political correctness above the rights of the most vulnerable members of our society.
Invest in kids NOW, or pay the price later - Quod Erat Demonstrandum.

[Cosmologic]

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 09:06 GMT 10:06 UK

More tax credit and pushed lower down the socio-economic spectrum - in other words first ensure everyone one has a basic living income (e.g. 10k for adults and 5k for children). Our country is more than rich enough. Then work on the social mobility problem by reducing the gap between rich and poor - make our current economic model (capitalism) fit human needs with triple bottom line criteria - economic, social, and environmental consideration of all factors.

Alastair McGowan, Hereford

Added: Sunday, 14 June, 2009, 08:56 GMT 09:56 UK

just wonder how many posting here are in reciept of working tax or child tax benefit , after all these are benefits and paid by us the workers of the uk , so stop the assault on people on benefits who have fallen on hard times , before you comment check what you recieve and only when you are totaly self reliant not in reciept of any benefits such as family allowance ,tax credits etc can you truly have a voice , i have no problem supporting anyone , i am proud we have a social welfare programme.

just curious, oxford