Rachel Reeves to launch huge new £500million fund to support overlooked kids

Rachel Reeves will launch a new £500million fund to help up to 200,000 vulnerable children - saying they've been overlooked for too long.

The Chancellor says the Better Futures Fund will be the largest of its kind in the world. It will be used to help struggling and vulnerable children and their families with a variety of problems.

This could include early support to tackle challenges such as school absence, mental health issues, addiction and falling into a life of crime. Ms Reeves says the fund will run for 10 years - and ministers plan to raise a further £500 million from councils, investors and philanthropists to top up the Government's cash.

The Chancellor will launch the initiative on Monday, as she visits a school in Wigan. Ahead of the visit, Ms Reeves said: "I got into politics to help children facing the toughest challenges.

"This fund will give hundreds of thousands of children, young people and their families a better chance. For too long, these children have been overlooked."

The fund will be overseen by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. More details about how it will work will be released in the near future, according to the Government.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: "This groundbreaking Better Futures Fund represents a major step in partnering with the impact economy, which has long played an important role in strengthening communities and driving inclusive growth."

She continued: "Together we will break down barriers to opportunity, ensuring those who need support most aren't left behind and have the chance to reach their potential."

The launch is backed by groups including Save the Children UK, The King's Trust, and Oxford University's Blavatnik School of Government.

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