Barnardo's responds to Rishi Sunak's spring statement

Barnardo’s Chief Executive Lynn Perry said: "The cost-of-living crisis is getting worse every day and families who previously had to choose between heating or eating are increasingly unable to afford to do either.

"Whilst we welcome the Government’s attempts to support families, including by increasing the threshold for National Insurance and the Household Support Fund we would have liked to see more extensive and targeted financial support that better recognises the help vulnerable families, children and young people need to relieve the challenges they currently face.

“Beyond this, for the Government's 'levelling up' strategy to be successful we must also invest in support for children, with a family hub in every community, and mental health teams in every school to give young people the best possible start in life regardless of where they live.”