First steps: An ambitious strategy to tackle early-years poverty with public consent

The scale of early-years poverty in Britain is staggering. More than a third (35 per cent) of under-fives live in poverty – equivalent to 1.2 million babies and toddlers in England and Wales. Over half a million live in ‘deep poverty’ – around 15 per cent of all under-fives. Under-fives have the highest poverty rate of any age group.

Living in poverty is deeply damaging at any stage of life, but especially so during a child’s first few years. Babies from low-income families are smaller by around halfway through pregnancy, and a baby born in poverty is less likely to be in good health, be ready for school by the age of five, go to university, and get a graduate job with a good wage. This situation is intolerable.

In this report, research manager Ben Cooper argues that the government must act. He first sets out why addressing early-years poverty should be central to the government’s broader child poverty strategy. He then makes recommendations that would lift tens of thousands of babies and toddlers out of poverty and benefit many more, while navigating the fiscal and political obstacles facing the government.