The Education and Work and Pensions Committees have launched a joint inquiry into the Child Poverty Strategy, calling for individuals and organisations to share their views on whether the government’s plans go far enough.

The Child Poverty Strategy was released in December 2025 and outlines the government’s plan to tackle the persistently high levels of child poverty across the country. 43% of children in single-parent families are living in poverty, compared with 26% of those in couple families. Single-parent households are also more likely to experience food insecurity and fuel poverty, highlighting the urgent need for targeted and effective action.

The strategy includes some welcome steps forward. Most notably, the government has committed to scrapping the two-child limit from April 2026, a change Gingerbread called for as part of our Support not Punish campaign and will benefit many single-parent families. However, significant concerns remain. For example, the decision to retain the Benefit Cap means that thousands of families in the deepest poverty will continue to have their incomes restricted, with almost 70% of those affected by the cap being single-parent families.

Moreover, the lack of clear, measurable targets within the strategy raises questions about government accountability for delivering the actions in the strategy ensuring they are successful in reducing child poverty.

The inquiry provides a crucial opportunity for families with lived experience of poverty to ensure their voices are heard, and responses will shape the recommendations included in the Committee’s subsequent report to the government.

We’ve produced a handy guide which will walk you through the process and provide helpful areas to consider when writing your response.

The inquiry is accepting responses until Friday 6^th March 2026.

Writing your own submission is a key chance to have your voice heard and help to drive change in the fight against child poverty.