29 January 2025
Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP
Department for Education
Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP
Department for Work and Pensions
Dear Bridget and Liz,
Last week, I convened a Child Poverty Roundtable in my constituency of Bracknell, Crowthorne, Sandhurst, and Whitegrove, to address the growing issue of child poverty.
10% of children in Bracknell live in relative poverty, with almost 14% of students eligible for Free School Meals. While Bracknell is a relatively prosperous part of the country, this means a significant number of young people grow up with real financial pressure. Bracknell also faces a significant challenge with wealth disparity, and some of the highest living costs in the country.
The roundtable brought together statutory and charity leaders from across the Borough:
Roy Bailey – Bracknell Forest Council Cabinet Member for Children and Young People
Phillip Bell – CEO, Involve Community Services
Emma Cantrell MBE – CEO, First Days
Annabel Davis – Counsellor, Youthline
Liz Fourie – Manager, Bracknell Foodbank
Sharon Kearins – Manager, Home-Start Bracknell Forest
Olivia Morris – Community Investment Manager, Abri
Sarah Walker – Social Justice Lead, Kerith Church
Together, we discussed the causes, impact, and prevention of child poverty in our community.
The following key policy recommendations emerged from our discussions:
- Appropriate resourcing: Measures which tackle the cost of living—particularly housing, energy, food, and childcare—would significantly improve the quality of life for parents and their children.
- Fairer funding formulas: Funding systems must ensure that services supporting families in poverty are not only accessible but also sustainable, and that they meet the true cost of service delivery. Funding should also take into account that child poverty exists in every constituency in the country, even if it looks different in an area of relative prosperity.
- Better financial education: Young people need to be equipped with the tools to make informed choices on their finances.
- Community involvement: It’s essential that we listen to the voices of our community and allow communities to shape the support needed.
I ask that you carefully review these recommendations, knowing that our community is deeply committed to working together to combat child poverty and improve the long-term well-being of children in our area, as the Child Poverty Taskforce continues its vital work.
I look forward to speaking with you further about how we can work together to tackle this important issue.
With best wishes,
Peter Swallow MP
