A year ago, when proclaiming the European Pillar of Social Rights, the EU explicitly stated that children have the right to protection from poverty. (Principle 11 of the European Pillar of Social Rights.) Yet, with more than 1 in 4 children living at risk or poverty or social exclusion in the EU today, Principle 11 is still an ambition rather than a guarantee.
The PES has long fought for younger generations. The PES European Youth Plan encompasses a series of measures aimed at supporting youth employment, access to education and to culture. From the start, the PES has supported the idea of a child guarantee, securing children’s access to healthcare, education, childcare, housing and nutrition.
Welcoming the vote in EMPL committee, PES President Sergei Stanishev stated:
“Thanks to our comrades in the S&D group, the vote in EMPL on the ESF+ has meant Eur5.9 billion has been set aside for the Child Guarantee over the period 2021-2027. This would allow for effective action against child poverty. It will be crucial to confirm this financial commitment in Plenary and in the negotiations with the Council.
“In April this year, PES ministers were already making it clear that the ESF+ must encompass the set-up of a Child Guarantee to specifically and effectively tackle child poverty in Europe.
“Child Poverty is simply unacceptable. Our political family does not accept it. We will continue to push for the EU to match ambitions with action, to put its money where its mouth is.”
