Today at the House of Commons
MPs on the Education and Work and Pensions Committees will question the Children’s Commissioners of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland on the experience of children in poverty in each nation, and how an imminent UK-wide strategy could be effectively delivered at Westminster today.
With the exception of Scotland, child poverty across the UK is on the rise, with it now at its highest level since comparative records began in 2002. 3.9 million children are now in absolute low income after housing costs in the UK. As a result, in July the Children’s Commissioners of all the UK nations jointly called on the Government to ‘tackle the root causes of child poverty’. Publication of a UK-wide child poverty strategy is expected this autumn.
The Children’s Commissioners represent independent bodies that are responsible for the safeguarding and advocacy of children’s rights.
Many of the policy levers to tackle child poverty are devolved to the Governments of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This includes health, education and housing, and dependent on the devolution settlement for each respective nation, some taxes and benefits.
MPs are expected to ask the Commissioners on the first panel about how each nation has formulated and implemented effective policies to tackle child poverty, including how to overcome the challenges of bringing together reserved and devolved policy areas.
The session will also feature a second panel with independent experts from each nation, whom Members of the committees are likely to ask about how to forge effective partnerships with the charity sector to maximise the impact of actions to reduce child poverty.
- Evidence session
- Child Poverty Strategy
- Wednesday 10 September, 9.30am, Committee Room 4a
- Watch live on Parliamentlive.tv
Something for the weekend
Vogrie Pogrie takes place from 12 to 15 September for day visitors as well as those who want to camp for the weekend. “Vogrie Pogrie transforms Vogrie Country Park into a vibrant celebration of creativity and community. Open to both campers and day visitors, the festival showcases over 150 artists across a wide range of performances and activities. Experience open-air theatre, live music, jam sessions, circus acts, comedy, cabaret, storytelling, dance, contemporary clowning, immersive workshops, land art, face painting, crafts, and more. With installations, a marketplace of ideas, and workshops in nature, there’s truly something for everyone to discover and enjoy.”
New Town Quarter
The massive site at the bottom of Dundas Street has been empty for so long it is difficult to remember the brutalist RBS building which once fronted the street there.
Planning permission was already granted some time ago for a largely residential development (with residences which would be the “epitome of Georgian grace and elegance”) creating a new “district” in the city.
Two public consultation events were held late last year. The presentation boards can be viewed here. This related to the Proposal of Application Notice or PAN.
A planning application then followed in April 2025 25/01899/FUL which you will find here.
This changed the proposals by incorporating student housing in the mix on a small part – 2.44 hectares – of the overall 5.9 acre site.
The word last autumn was that work had been delayed again to allow Ediston to rejig the plans by replacing Build to Rent elements with student flats. Developers are said to be cautious to build to rent now with rent controls in place.
Now New Town and Broughton Community Council report that they have an update from the developer that they are about to start building the five residential blocks at the south east end of the site later this month.
While we endeavour to gather more information – here is what used to be on at least part of the site.
Planning lists
The council publishes a weekly list of planning applications and we endeavour to pick out the few that interest us each week.
Heart of Newhaven
If you are interested in the restoration of the King’s Theatre then there is a talk on Friday which might be fun.
