Child Poverty Strategy – great initiatives – but not for all children

The long awaited Child Poverty Strategy arrived last week and it was welcome. We were honoured to be asked to feed in to the child poverty strategy before it was created, and we are over the moon that some of its recommendations directly reflect the asks of our Rights Experience Advocacy Change group’s campaign asks.

Six week legal limit

One of our main asks in the NO CHILD IN A HOME WITHOUT A KITCHEN campaign was a stepping stone of making sure that no families were in B&B accommodation for longer than the six week legal limit. We are excited to see that this gained traction and attention and now is a major part of the child poverty strategy.

“The strategy will also end the unlawful placement of families in Bed and Breakfasts beyond the six-week limit. To support this, the Government is investing £8 million in Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots in 20 local authorities that have the highest use of Bed and Breakfasts for homeless families – continuing the programme for the next three years. Alongside this, the government will provide £950 million through the fourth and largest round of the Local Authority Housing Fund from April 2026 to deliver up to 5,000 high-quality homes for better temporary accommodation by 2030. Further details will be set out in the upcoming Homelessness Strategy.“

Gifty the head of our REACH team says:

We have been asking that no child is in a B&B for longer than the six week legal limit – and the local authority has been working hard to acheive it – but they have struggled to find alternatives especially if a child needs to be in the borough. The extra financial help to make this happen is very welcome.

Notification system for those in TA

Notifying local services when a child is moved in to temporary accommodation in their area – to ensure that they get the services to which they are entitled – is a welcome move – as it will place the responsibility back on those services to engage with families – rather than on fraught and exhausted families to find them. Thi is especially important when children are often moved across borough borders frequently and with little warning.

“A new legal duty will also be introduced for councils to notify schools, health visitors, and GPs when a child is placed in temporary accommodation, so no child is left without support. This enables health and education providers to deliver a more joined up approach to support children experiencing homelessness.”

This is good in terms of safeguarding and also families won’t have to keep explaining their situations to schools or health services to get the right support (and sooner). We often feel overwhelmed and alone navigating education, health, and housing systems but this will shift responsibility to councils and service providers.

Ending the discharge of mothers and newborns in to B&Bs

The Government will also work with the NHS to end the practice of mothers with newborns being discharged to B&Bs or other forms of unsuitable housing.”

A member of our REACH team says:

I think it is a beautiful step and it is a relief to hear this good news.
I experienced speaking to the midwife about my accommodation when I had my baby and they gave excuses .So helping mothers and newborns right from NHS level is awesome . And carrying other bodies along like the school and health visitors is just perfect.

But this is not good news for all children

For families going through the legal process of seeking asylum the six week legal limit does not apply – children can be in hotel rooms without cooking facilities for up to two years. The protections for the children of those fleeing war and persecution are not the same as for all other children. We don’t think this is right.

The No Recourse to Public Funds condition which withholds basic welfare protections from children born in to families with insecure immigration status means that while the government is doing its best to lift some children out of poverty, it is withholding vital help from others.

We would appeal to the government to include #AllOurChildren in any child poverty strategy – that means those who are in poverty through larger economic factors and the twists and turns of life AND those who are in legally mandated destitution – denied the basic welfare safety net that would keep them out of destitution through immigration regulations.

The REACH TEAM says:

It is not right that some Magpie Mums and Minis will be benefitted under this strategy and others will not.
We will not rest until we see improvements for #AllOurChildren.

Account number	A 10-12 digit number given to your bank account. You can find your account number on your online banking page or on bank statements.
Card Number	A 16-digit number with that is found on the front of your debit/credit card.
Credit Card	A credit card doesn’t spend your money. It spends the bank’s money and you must pay it back. This means you can spend more than is in your account, but you might be charged extra for doing this, especially if you are late paying the bank.
Credit Score	A number that records how likely you are to repay your debts. High credit scores are better as it means financial products such as overdrafts and credit cards cost less.
Debit Card	A debit card is a card that lets you take out money from ATMs and make payments in stores or online from your account.
Financial Service Compensation Scheme (FSCS)	An organisation set up to protect the money you put in bank accounts. If you have a current or basic account, the FSCS will pay you up to £85,000 if your bank goes bankrupt.
National Insurance Number (NI)	The number makes sure that the National Insurance contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded on your account. It also acts as a reference number for the whole social security system.
Overdraft	An amount of money you can spend even when you have no money in your account. It is like a small loan from your bank. Overdrafts are often not free, so you need to be very aware what the costs are before using one.
Personal Identification Number (PIN)	A PIN is a 4-digit number that is given to you with a debit card. This is used when taking out money from ATMs or when making in-store purchases with your card. Never share your PIN with anyone as it could be used to commit fraud.
Security Code	A 3-4 digit number found on the back of your debit/credit card in the signature section. This number will be required for nearly all online payments. The code provides an extra layer of security to safeguard you from fraud.
Sort Code	A 6-digit number that is used to identify your bank. You can find your sort code on your online banking platform, on bank statements or on your debit card.
Standing Order	When a fixed amount that you choose is paid from your account to another person or organisation. This is different from the direct debit as the amount that is paid is the same each time.

Saves time – you don’t need to remember to pay a bill.	You need to make sure there is enough money in your account when the direct debit or standing order will be taken. If there is not enough money, you could be charged extra by the bank.
You will get money back for any incorrect payments for direct debits only.	You must remember to cancel standing orders when you want to stop paying someone regularly.
You can cancel a direct debit or a standing order at any time through your online banking account or by contacting your bank.	Sometimes you might think you are setting up a direct debit, but it is actually a recurring payment or continuous payment authority (CPA). Be careful if companies ask for the long number on your card instead of your sort code and account number. This will mean they can take money whenever they think they are owed.

Saves Time	Make sure there is enough money in your account when the direct debit or standing order will be taken. If there is not enough money, you could be charged extra by the bank.
You don’t need to remember to pay a bill	You must remember to cancel standing orders when you want to stop paying someone regularly.
You will get money back for any incorrect payments for direct debits only.	Sometimes you might think you are setting up a direct debit, but it is actually a recurring payment or continuous payment authority (CPA). Be careful if companies ask for the long number on your card instead of your sort code and account number. This will mean they can take money whenever they think they are owed.
You can cancel a direct debit or a standing order at any time through your online banking account or by contacting your bank.


Magpie Mums say: “Always use direct debits if you can, so you don’t forget to pay and are charged. If you can’t use direct debits, make sure you put the dates when you’re supposed to make payments in your phone calendar.” “I’m used to it. It’s easy on the phone. I try to avoid going to banks.”

Bank Examples	Forms of Identity Needed
Metro Bank	Asylum seekers can apply for a cash account and/or savings account. This requires an Application Registration Card (ARC), proof of address and confirmation of asylum seekers support allowance or other income.
Lloyds	You can apply for a Classic Current account with a BRP, ARC or a Home Office Immigration Status document. Refugees and asylum seekers can apply for a ‘Classic current account’. This includes an arranged overdraft. Fees are charged if you go into your overdraft.
Nationwide	You can get a ‘FlexBasic account’ (basic bank account) and an ‘Instant Access saver’ (basic savings account). They accept BRP, ARC and Home Office Immigration Status document.
HSBC	You cannot open a bank account if you are from outside the EU. They accept BRP but NOT ARC. They accept BRP but NOT ARC.
Monzo	Refugees can open a current account with a BRP and their UK address. However, Monzo do not accept ARC. You can get your benefits or salary (depending on your employer) paid into your Monzo account 1 day earlier.

Child Poverty Strategy – great initiatives – but not for all children

Six week legal limit

Notification system for those in TA

Ending the discharge of mothers and newborns in to B&Bs

But this is not good news for all children

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