Barnardos Acknowledges Positive Steps Forward but Calls on Government to do more for Vulnerable Children and Families. #Budget2022
Posted on Tuesday 12 October 2021 in Press Releases, Advocacy
12 October 2021. Barnardos welcomes commitments outlined today in Budget 2022, many of which will go some way to alleviating the stresses and pressures families experiencing disadvantage deal with on a day to day basis. The children’s charity however cautions that this should not be seen as a once off reaction to help families ‘get back to normal’ after the pandemic.
Barnardos CEO Suzanne Connolly said: “The reality is that normal is a fairy tale for many children and families, and the Government need to react accordingly. Budget 2022 should be a starting point to improve the lives of vulnerable children and families on which all future budgets routinely and consistently build. Multiple measures set out in the budget today will provide much needed help to vulnerable families and children. We particularly welcome commitments to increase social welfare payments, equalising back to school allowance for single and two parent families, expansion of the hot school meals programme and widening childcare support to more families living in disadvantaged circumstances. However, while positive and welcome, we must acknowledge that they only go some way to addressing the many significant challenges and difficulties these families face.
Below we highlight the announcements made today in comparison to our pre-budget recommendations.
ENDS
Barnardos Pre Budget Submission
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