'28% of Exeter children face poverty,' says MP

Exeter MP Steve Race hosted a roundtable workshop on Friday December 13, with leaders from education, local government, and the third sector to explore solutions for child poverty in the city.   

The event contributes to the Government’s Child Poverty Taskforce, a cross-government initiative to reduce poverty, break down barriers to opportunity, and improve life chances for children.

The Taskforce will publish a UK-wide strategy in 2025, shaped by evidence and local testimony from communities, families, and experts. 

Race explained the urgent need for action: “Child poverty in Exeter has surged in recent years, and today 28% of our city's children grow up in poverty. I wanted to bring together stakeholders from across education, charities and other services, and local government, so that we could discuss what some of the drivers of poverty in our city are.”

Discussions highlighted housing issues, mental health, low-paid work, and the benefits system as key factors driving poverty. The workshop also provided a platform for organisations to share ideas for future collaboration. 

Race added, “It was a really useful discussion about housing, the benefits system, intergenerational worklessness, the cost-of-living crisis, and low paid work.”

“Poverty is complex, so I'm pleased the government has launched the Child Poverty Taskforce so that we can work to fix it together. I'll be submitting a report based on these conversations to the review – and I encourage anyone else with an interest to do so too.”

The Labour government’s Taskforce, launched in 2024, aims to tackle the root causes of child poverty through strategies to raise family income, reduce essential living costs, and improve support services.

By engaging local voices like those in Exeter, it ensures the strategy reflects the real experiences of families across the UK. 

Race’s report will contribute to the Taskforce’s findings ahead of the national Child Poverty Strategy, due in Spring 2025.