Combating child poverty

Subject: Combating child poverty

I recently voted in favour of the resolution establishing the European Children’s Guarantee.

The justification for my vote is very simple: I will support any angle of ‘attack’ against the scourge of child poverty that still persists in 2021.

I therefore believe that no one is entitled to ‘shirk’ their duty to contribute towards the relentless fight against severe child poverty.

1. If we wish to reduce the number of poor people in Europe by 2030 – and we know that five million of them are children living below the extreme poverty line – should we not establish a social entitlement with a view to reducing this terrible affliction?

2. Is the Commission willing, at least at this stage, to begin discussions on this issue?

Answer given by Mr Schmit on behalf of the European Commission

(15 September 2021)

The European Pillar of Social Rights refers to a number of social entitlements relevant for children, such as inclusive education (principle 1), childcare and support for children (principle 11), minimum income (principle 14), healthcare (principle 16), housing (principle 19) and access to essential services (principle 20).

The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan includes numerous social policy initiatives (1). Among others, the target to reduce by 2030 the number of people living in the EU at risk of poverty or social exclusion by at least 15 million, including at least 5 million children.

As regards the possible establishment at Commission’s initiative of a ‘social entitlement’ to address extreme poverty among children, the Member States are solely competent to adopt such measures.

However, in line with Article 5(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the EU may take initiatives to ensure coordination of Member States’ social policies. The recently adopted EU Strategy on the Rights of the Chil d (2) is an example of such an initiative as it includes the fight against child poverty and the promotion of equal opportunities within its thematic priorities.

In addition, the Council Recommendation of 14 June 2021 establishing a European Child Guarantee (3) aims to prevent and combat social exclusion by guaranteeing to children in need effective and free access to key services, such as high quality early childhood education and care, education and school-based activities, at least one healthy meal each school day and healthcare — as well as effective access to healthy nutrition and adequate housing.

The Member States have until 15 March 2022 to prepare their national action plans on the implementation of the European Child Guarantee.

⋅1∙ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021DC0102&qid=1629209655337

⋅2∙ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52021DC0142&qid=1629210328055

⋅3∙ https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=uriserv%3AOJ.L_.2021.223.01.0014.01.ENG&toc=OJ%3AL%3A2021%3A223%3ATOC