Social Metrics Commission report on impacts of Covid-19 crisis

The Social Metrics Commission (@SocMetricsComm) report on #poverty and Covid-19,

Helen Barnard, Acting Director of the independent Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) said: 

“In a society that believes in looking out for each other, it’s just not right that the groups already more likely to be trapped in poverty before the pandemic, such as disabled people and those of Black and Asian ethnicities, are those most likely to be pulled into even deeper hardship by the current economic crisis.

“To deliver an economic recovery that will reduce existing inequalities and free more people from poverty, ministers must commit to sustained investment in jobs and skills, as well as strengthening our social security system so that it provides a reliable lifeline for people when they need it.”

A Department for Education spokesperson said:

“We have invested £20 million in improving the training and development available for staff working in early years settings, particularly targeted at those working in disadvantaged areas, and we are supporting their career progression through better qualifications, more apprenticeship opportunities and routes to graduate level qualifications.

“Nurseries, preschools and childminders are a vital support network for families, and will play an integral role in this country’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. That’s why they have received significant financial support over the past months and will benefit from a planned £3.6 billion funding in 2020-21 to local authorities for free early education and childcare places. We continue to provide extra stability and reassurance to nurseries and childminders that remain open by ‘block-buying’ childcare places for the rest of this year at the level we would have funded before coronavirus – regardless of how many children are attending.”

“Pay and conditions in private, voluntary and independent settings are set by the employers. The Government continues to support families with their childcare costs and last October we announced increases in hourly rates for our early education entitlements for 2020-21.”