7 Oct 2022

A gov report shows decline in child poverty numbers

From Midday Report, 12:11 pm on 7 October 2022

The government says child poverty is declining in spite of Covid - but kids in single parent households are still struggling.

The annual Child Poverty Report shows hardship rates are declining and credits the success to rising employment and wages, and increases to income support for families.

The government acknowledges there's still more to do with one in ten children aged 17 and under are growing up in material hardship.

In single-parent households, it's nearly one in three.

Crucially the report doesn't include the ongoing impacts of Covid, and the cost of living crisis.

Professor Mike O'Brien from Child Poverty Action Group spoke to Māni Dunlop.