Matthew Crow
In June of this year Frank Field MP was appointed ‘Poverty Czar’ to the coalition government describing his role as an opportunity to forge a programme of action which particularly emphasises extending the life chances of poorer children. In the same month Chancellor George Osborne’s Emergency Budget saw the announcement of the cancellation of the health-in-pregnancy grant; a one-off payment of £190 for expectant mothers granted on or after the 25th week of pregnancy and the Sure Start Maternity Grant to all but the first child. These cuts were set against the back drop of an already concerning level of unemployment benefit at £51.85 a week and £65.45 a week for under and over 25s respectively; with JRF minimum income food standards for a single adult at £44.34 a self evident shortfall is identified.
When the Zacchaeus 2000 Trust, headed by Chairman Revd Paul Nicolson, made its submission to Field’s review, therefore, it was in the context of assessing the effect of poverty, and specifically poverty induced by low levels of unemployment benefit, on the health and well being of both mother and child before and during pregnancy.
