Today, the Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament led a cross-party majority on the introduction of a special fund – a child guarantee – in order to combat poverty among children.
 
The proposal was backed by a vote in the employment and social affairs committee in the European Parliament.
 
In 2013, 28% of the total population under 18 years old was at risk of poverty and social exclusion in the EU, according to Eurostat. In some countries, the number of children who cannot eat meat, chicken or fish two days in a row has doubled since 2008. 

S&D Group spokeswoman on employment and social affairs, Jutta Steinruck, said:
 
"The economic and social crisis has provoked a dramatic surge in poverty especially among children; today there is a wide consensus among organisations that the main cause of increased child poverty is linked to the austerity policies implemented across the EU.
 
"We are proposing to introduce a child guarantee with its specific fund so that every child in poverty can have access to free healthcare, free education, free childcare, decent housing and adequate nutrition.
 
"The child guarantee must be seen as a long term tool to offer equal opportunities for a whole generation as well as support for parents to come out of social exclusion situations and to integrate the labour market."  

S&D Group spokesperson on this file, Vilija Blinkevičiūtė, added:
 
"We need to offer a future to our next generation by breaking the vicious circle of poverty at the youngest age possible. This means ensuring that every child at risk of poverty has access to free healthcare, free education, decent housing and adequate nutrition.
 
"Only with this concrete tool will we make equal opportunities a reality for all children in Europe. We call on the Commission to introduce child guarantee with its specific fund, possibly with the revision of multiannual financial framework (MFF) next year."

MEPs involved