Commentary on Sections Section 14 – Interpretation
47.Section 14(1) defines, for the purposes of the Act, “2030 targets” as those set out in section 1(2) and “interim targets” as those in section 2(2). Subsection (1) also defines “child” as: (a) a person aged under 16 years, or (b) a person who is a qualifying young person for the purposes of Part 9 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 i.e. a qualifying young person for the purpose of receipt of child benefit under that Act. This is currently defined in regulations made under that Act. In summary, a “qualifying young person” is currently defined for the purposes of that Act as meaning a person who has not yet reached 20 years of age (other than a “child” under that Act) and who is in “relevant education” or “approved training” under that Act(2).
48.Subsection (1) also defines “protected characteristics” as those listed in section 149(7) of the Equality Act 2010. Those are: age; disability; gender reassignment; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion or belief; sex; and sexual orientation.
49.Section 14(2) provides that any reference to “the child poverty targets” in relation to a delivery plan, progress report or a local child poverty action report is a reference to the interim targets and 2030 targets, where a plan or report relates to a period ending on or before 31 March 2024, and to the 2030 targets where a plan or report relates to a period beginning on or after 1 April 2024.