15 May 2014
Save the Children Applauds the Government for Putting Children and Families at the Heart of Today’s Budget
Save the Children welcomes today’s Budget which has announced that almost $500 million is to be invested in vulnerable
children and their families.
The charity says that young families are the clear winners, with the news that GP visits and prescriptions will be free
for all children under the age of 13.
This will impact on the recent rise of chronic illnesses such as rheumatic fever and other respiratory diseases amongst
our most vulnerable children.
The $284 million set aside for building and maintaining schools is a welcome boost also.
The government has sensibly thought of the welfare of children by extending paid parental leave. Currently the financial
stress put on young families when a baby is born, means both parents often have no choice but to go back to work.
Although putting children at the heart of the budget needs to be celebrated, Save the Children urges the government to
continue the momentum and keep working to improve the lives of the one in four children who currently live in poverty.
ENDS