Frank Field’s review of child poverty
policy covers a daunting expanse of ground. From breast-feeding to the little society (“the younger sister of the Big Society”), it’s stuffed with more ideas than reviews that are
twice the size – and will take some time to digest properly. But, in a way, that’s precisely the point. Field’s central argument is that New Labour took an overly simplistic view of poverty.
For Brown & Co. it was all about funnelling cash handouts to poor families, often to lift them from just under an arbitrary poverty line to just above it. For Field, it is more about improving
opportunities across the board, with a particular focus on children aged 0 to 5. As the report puts it, “we have found overwhelming evidence that children’s life chances are most heavily
predicated on their development in the first five years of life.” It is, on the whole, persuasive stuff.
Peter Hoskin
Frank Field’s report highlights the coalitions within the coalition

Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in