Minister on child poverty

In the UK, the two-child benefit limit is causing significant hardship for families, exemplified by single mother Saira, who struggles to provide for her three daughters due to a lack of universal credit for her youngest. With a mere £7 left in her account before her next payment, Saira highlights the emotional toll of financial insecurity exacerbated by government policies introduced in 2017. Meanwhile, in New Zealand, the government is rejecting official advice that suggests $3 billion annually is needed to meet child poverty reduction targets set by the previous Labour administration, which aimed to decrease material hardship significantly by 2028. Child Poverty Reduction Minister Louise Upston claims that focusing on economic growth and employment will be more effective than increasing welfare payments. Despite officials indicating that current targets are unrealistic, Upston insists that the government will not pursue the costly approach of the previous government, attributing rising child poverty rates during Labour's tenure to their ineffective policies. Critics argue that without adequate investment, the plight of children in both nations will worsen as austerity measures continue to limit support.