Nursery World - Early years cuts 'stall poverty drop'

Progress made under the previous Government in reducing child poverty could be undone by cuts to early years services, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned.

In its first report comparing family well-being in 30 countries, the OECD said that Britain had been one of the biggest investors in families between 2003 and 2007 because of its increased investment in childcare and support around pregnancy and birth.

During the decade between 1995 and 2005, child poverty in the UK fell by more than any other country, from 17.4 per cent to 10.5 per cent.

However, the OECD report, Doing Better for Families, said that progress on reducing child poverty had now stalled and was predicted to rise.

The report said that the Government's plans to introduce 15 hours of free early education for disadvantaged two-year-olds were 'a positive step for well-being of these children and the job prospects of their parents.'

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