Poorest children need support this Christmas - Evan Harris MP supports campaign to introduce Seasonal Grants to help the poorest families

3.08.00pm GMT Wed 6th Dec 2006

Today local MP Evan Harris expressed his support for Save the Children's demand for seasonal grants for low-income parents struggling to afford basic items such as heating, clothes and proper food this Christmas.

A new survey published by Save the Children on Universal Children's Day (Monday 20th November) reveals that 85% of low-income parents in Britain find basic items such as bills, clothes and proper food the most expensive items related to bringing up a child.

Speaking today Dr Harris said:

"It's pitiful that in this day and age parents in the UK are still struggling to afford the basic necessities like hot healthy food and warm clothes for their children. Despite being one of the wealthiest countries in the EU we have some of the highest rates of child poverty. I support Save the Children's call for Seasonal Grants which could lift 440,000 children out of poverty, and would represent a lifeline to families struggling to support themselves this Christmas."

Dr Harris supports Save the Children in their call for:

• The introduction of two Seasonal Grants to support families at the points of year when they are facing acute financial pressure. These grants alone could lift 440,000 children out of poverty.

• The government to introduce these Seasonal Grants as part of their wider investment into child poverty at the next Pre Budget Report, Budget and Comprehensive Spending Review.

• All political parties to sign up to the target to eradicate child poverty by 2020 and to agree on a level of poverty below which no child should fall.

• The public to support its campaign to end child poverty by signing up at www.savethechildren.org.uk/endchildpoverty