The UK’s child poverty crisis has continued to rise, with 4.3 million children now living in poverty, 700,000 more than back in 2010. Anti-poverty charities are calling on the government to tackle this issue head-on, citing the need for immediate action.
Labour has committed to reducing child poverty and has established a task force dedicated to developing an ambitious strategy to this effect. However, charities like the Resolution Foundation argue that the challenges faced by child poverty require more than just promises. While parental employment drove a 600,000 reduction in child poverty, between 1998 and 2008, the current employment landscape poses unique challenges.
Families in poverty today are often working households, with 30% of them having children with disabilities, nearly half dealing with parental disabilities or chronic health conditions, and 75% with primary school-aged children. The lack of affordable childcare and inadequate transport was also cited as further challenges parents face in trying to secure better-paying jobs.
Mike Brewer, the interim chief executive of the Resolution Foundation, further emphasized the need for a holistic reform approach stating that “strengthening Workers’ rights and providing better childcare support are critical, but it will also take action across housing and benefits to create real change.”
Charities also have warned that the “any job” approach often exacerbates challenges, urging for well targeted policies to uplift families facing these challenges without pushing them further into hardship.
Similar struggle in schools highlight the impact of child poverty
A recent survey carried out by the Education Anti-Poverty Coalition has further underscored the ripple effects of child poverty in schools, with about 89% of the staff reporting an increase in poverty levels over the past two academic years. The survey, involving over 1,000 school professionals across England has revealed these alarming trends:
- 68% of staff noted that more of the students were unable to afford enough food during lunchtime.
- 74% also observed that these children in poverty were all falling further behind academically.
- While 80% of the staff supported universal free school meals as a key measure to reduce poverty.
Kate Anstey, Head of Education Policy at Child Poverty Action Group, stated that
“Child poverty is ripping through our schools, warping the way they work and jeopardising children’s learning and life chances. Ministers must act by widening eligibility for free school meals, boosting support for school costs, and increasing child benefits.”
As the government is preparing its new child poverty strategy, these findings should serve as a stark reminder of the need for urgent, multifaceted interventions in order to secure a brighter future for millions of children.