Our Chair, Rev Paul Nicolson gave evidence to the Parliamentary Bills Committee considering the Child Poverty Bill, as reported in the Times on Oct 22, 2009.

He brought the Committee's attention to the major issues found in our report - Child Poverty Bill, Proposed Amendments.

One of the issues highlighted was the need for the Bill to provide for research to be carried out into minimum income standards as many households are in poverty because their incomes do not cover basic necessities such as council tax and utility bills. The current level of welfare benefits also does not take into account the minimum cost of food needed for healthy living, according to a study by Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Research carried out by Professor Michael Crawford shows that poor nutrition before conception and during pregnancy increases the risk of mental illness and ill health in children. Level of wages and welfare benefits that are below what is needed for healthy living may result to the birth in an increase in the incidence of mental health issues which already cost the NHS £77 billion p.a.

Overcrowded housing is another issue raised by Rev. Paul Nicolson. A report by Shelter showed that 565,000 households in England are overcrowded. Research on overcrowding indicated a very strong relation between poor housing and academic failure.

Further readings available through the attached list below.