Budget 2012: A missed opportunity

In his Budget, George Osborne missed the opportunity to help Britain's poorest working mums and their children. 

While the raising of the personal tax threshold is welcome news, this won't reach the poorest families who don't earn enough to benefit.

With your support we’ve been campaigning for a fairer deal for the poorest working mums with more help with childcare and a benefits system that lets them keep more of their earnings.

Our director of policy, Brendan Cox, said: "George Osborne had an opportunity today to help the country's poorest children. He missed it.

"While there are some measures in here that will help poor families, we are disappointed that more was not done more to target resources to those in most need.

Missing the target

"We welcome the raising of the personal tax threshold, but this won't reach the poorest families who simply don't earn enough to benefit.

"Some have branded this a Robin Hood budget. But Robin Hood was known for hitting his target. If help to the poorest was his aim, the Chancellor will be known for missing his.”

Click here to read our report.

Our UK programmes are helping our poorest children get a better start in life: find out how you can help them.

If you live in London...

Please click this link to send the Next London mayor a message calling on them to make work pay for London's poorest families.