ADCS response: Levelling Up White Paper

Commenting on the publication of the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities White Paper, ADCS President, Charlotte Ramsden, said:

“This White Paper is, according to the Secretary of State, about ending ‘historic injustice’. However, we are sorely disappointed that the Paper has failed to address one of the biggest historic injustices blighting the lives and life chances of millions of children today – rising child and family poverty. This appears to be a golden opportunity missed. Coordinated, cross government action to reduce and, ultimately, end child and family poverty cannot wait.

“Levelling up must start with investment in our children and young people so we welcome the White Paper’s focus on improving education and skills, including illiteracy and innumeracy rates amongst children. Ensuring children attend good schools and have these basic life skills is important but so too is ensuring that all children and their families can afford the basics, such as food, heating and a roof over their heads. Without this how can we expect children to be able to learn and thrive?

“Investment in infrastructure, broadband and housing in the areas highlighted in the Paper will help to develop some communities in which children and young people live and therefore make a difference to them, but we are clear that levelling up must go beyond this. We must be ambitious for all children so that their life chances are not impacted by where they grow up.

“To truly level up society and achieve a country that works for all children in a post-Covid world, we need long-term strategies to urgently close the gaps in education, health and poverty.”

ENDS

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