'Child poverty the biggest threat to economic future'

CHILD poverty across the UK is both the biggest cause of social division and largest threat to the country's long- term economic future, former prime minister Gordon Brown is expected to warn.

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The ex-Labour leader is set to ramp up the pressure on Chancellor Rachel Reeves to raise taxes on gambling firms to cover the cost of lifting the two-child benefit cap.

Mr Brown, who has spoken out repeatedly on the issue of child poverty, will brand the issue a "shameful epidemic" in a speech today to mark the 60th anniversary of the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG).