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xWhat does the new UK Government have planned for children?
Date: 24th July 2024
Category:
The Labour Party’s manifesto included a range of commitments for children. This article looks at what was said alongside more recent statements. Together will be working closely with our sister organisations across the UK to hold the new UK Government to account.
The UK Labour Party manifesto recognised significant issues relevant to babies, children and young people, particularly child poverty, education reform, increased access to childcare, online safety and healthcare access.
Key themes relevant for children in Scotland included:
Child poverty
Labour committed to “develop an ambitious strategy to reduce child poverty”. However, the manifesto made no commitment to scrapping the two-child benefit limit. The new government has announced a new child poverty taskforce as part of its strategy to tackle the rise in child poverty rates. On 22nd July, the new Prime Minister said he would “consider” scrapping the two-child benefit limit, responding to pressure from Labour MPs. An SNP amendment to scrap the two-child limit was defeated by 363 votes to 103 on 23rd July 2024.
Human rights in law
Labour’s manifesto committed to upholding human rights and international law and promised to remain a member of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Voting age
Labour’s manifesto included a commitment to lower the voting age to 16 in UK elections. In the recent Kings Speech, there was no specific mention of votes for 16-year-olds, with Labour indicating that this would be something that they would consider in future years closer to the next election.
Strengthening devolution
Those who followed the progress of the UNCRC Incorporation Bill will know well how the limits of the Scottish Parliament’s powers were at the heart of the UK Supreme Court judgment and subsequent reconsideration stage. The Labour Manifesto committed to strengthening Scottish democracy and champion Scotland both domestically and internationally. On “wholly devolved” issues, Labour said it would support the Scottish Government to partner with international bodies where “relevant and appropriate”.
Civil society campaign
The Children’s Rights Alliance for England (CRAE) has urged the new UK Government to take immediate and decisive action on children's rights. The Children's Rights Charter calls on the new UK Government to take six concrete steps to put children’s rights at the centre of decision-making, including:
- Develop a children's rights strategy;
- Appoint a UK Cabinet Minister for Children;
- Introduce mandatory child rights impact assessments;
- Increase budget allocations for children;
- Develop a strategy for increasing awareness, knowledge and understanding of children's rights;
- Incorporate the UNCRC into domestic law at UK level.