Labour voters are losing faith in the government’s commitment to slash levels of child poverty, according to a rapid survey.
The research shared with The Mirror follows grim official figures showing the number of kids in poverty hitting a new record of 4.5million. Last week the government’s own impact assessment of recently announced benefit cuts also estimated it would result in an extra 50,000 kids in poverty.
In the snapshot survey by JL Partners for 38 Degrees campaign group, over 100 people of 2024 Labour voters were asked whether they had faith in the government to cut child poverty. It was conducted shortly after Chancellor Rachel Reeves delivered the Spring Statement.
Among the panel of voters questioned, some did praise efforts to tackle child poverty and highlighted the roll-out of free breakfast clubs in primary schools. But over half of respondents had a negative view or appeared pessimistic.
A 66-year-old laundrette worker, who still supports Labour, said: “Currently, no. I feel very disappointed that this Labour government is behaving like the opposition.” One 33-year-old cleaner, who now supports another party, said: “No. They are heartless and out of touch.”
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A 31-year-old admin worker said: “Not at all, they’ve already shown they aren’t serious about it by refusing to tax the rich more.” Another respondent, a 35-year-old healthcare worker, added: “Recent benefit cuts and the rising cost of living raise concerns that poverty may worsen rather than improve. Without stronger commitments to supporting low-income families, many may struggle to see meaningful change.”
Matthew McGregor, CEO at 38 Degrees, said: “These responses should ring huge alarm bells for the Government: loyal Labour voters are rapidly losing faith in the Government’s ability and commitment to tackling the blight of child poverty.”
He added: “There’s no doubt Labour inherited a mess, but politics is about choices. And this study also shows that where ministers are making positive choices – such as on breakfast clubs – it is being noticed by some voters. They simply need to go much further and act much faster.
“Ultimately, it’s time for the Government to keep their word and ensure those with the broadest shoulders bear the greatest burden, rather than those least able to carry the load. A tax on the ultra-rich would raise billions for much needed public spending, allowing the top 1% to give back a tiny fraction.”
Tom Lubbock, co-founder of JL Partners, said: “This polling shows rather starkly that on child poverty a large group of Labour voters have been left with the impression that it is not a priority for a Labour government.
“We can also see the evidence of how large numbers of these 2024 Labour voters are now saying they support other parties. Labour need to do everything they can to retain the group that is left and win back some of these defectors.”
A DWP spokesman said: “No one should be living in poverty, and we know that the best route out of poverty for struggling families is well paid, secure work. That is why we are reforming our broken welfare system so it helps people into good jobs, boosting living standards and putting money in people’s pockets.
“Alongside this, our child poverty taskforce is building an ambitious strategy to give all children the best start in life while we increase the Living Wage, uprate benefits, and support 700,000 of the poorest families by introducing a fair repayment rate on Universal Credit deductions to help low-income households.”
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