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UK faces child poverty crisis, charities warn UK faces child poverty crisis, say charities
(about 3 hours later)
Statistics show 100,000 more children living below the breadline Statistics show 100,000 more children living below the breadline than a year ago
The UK faces a fresh child poverty crisis, with rates likely to soar as a result of the economic impact of coronavirus, charities have warned, as latest official statistics showed a 100,000 rise in youngsters living below the breadline. The UK faces a fresh child poverty crisis, with rates likely to soar in the coming months, charities have said, as latest official statistics showed a 100,000 increase in the number of young people living below the breadline.
The total number of children living in relative poverty – classed as on or below the 60% of the UK average household income after housing costs have been paid – was .4.2 million in 2018-19 up from 4.1 million the previous year – equivalent to 30% of all children. The total number of children living in relative poverty – classed as on or below 60% of the UK average household income after housing costs have been paid – was 4.2 million in 2018-19, up from 4.1 million the previous year, equating to roughly 30% of all children.
Campaigners warned that without urgent action to help low-income families through the benefit system over the next few months already-high levels of child poverty would soar to record levels. Campaigners said that without urgent action to help low-income families through the benefits system over the next few months of coronavirus measures, already high levels of child poverty would soar to record levels.
Currently around 14.5 million people are living in poverty, including 8.1 million people in working families, and 4 million in “deep poverty” meaning they live at least 50% below the breadline. Average incomes of the poorest fifth of people have been falling since 2016/17, the data shows. Around 14.5 million people are living in poverty, including 8.1 million people in working families, and 4 million are in “deep poverty”, meaning they live at least 50% below the breadline. Average incomes of the poorest fifth of people have been falling since 2016-17, the data shows.
Analysis by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) showed that there were 600,000 more children in relative poverty since 2010, with low-income families especially hard hit by austerity cuts such as the four year benefit freeze and the two-child limit. Around £36bn has been taken out of the benefit system since 2010. Analysis by the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) found that there were 600,000 more children in relative poverty since 2010, with low-income families especially hard hit by austerity cuts such as the four-year benefit freeze and the two-child limit. Around £36bn has been taken out of the benefit system since 2010.
Almost three quarters of children in poverty were in families where at least one adult was working (72%), up from 70% previously, while 15% of youngsters living below the breadline had a self-employed parent. Almost three-quarters of children in poverty were in families where at least one adult was working (72%), up from 70% previously, while 15% of children living below the breadline had a self-employed parent.
CPAG called for urgent measures to increase incomes for the worst-off, including extra help for children through universal credit and a £10 a week per child increase in child benefit, a move that it said would cut child poverty rates by 5%. CPAG called for urgent measures to increase incomes for the worst off, including extra help for children through universal credit and a £10 per week per child increase in child benefit, a move that it said would cut child poverty rates by 5%.
“We are facing a child poverty crisis,” CPAG chief executive, Alison Garnham, said: “To prevent rising child poverty leading to a longer-term public health disaster, we need urgent action to support struggling families and their children.” “We are facing a child poverty crisis,” said the CPAG chief executive, Alison Garnham. “To prevent rising child poverty leading to a longer-term public health disaster, we need urgent action to support struggling families and their children.”
Around 500,000 people have applied for the main unemployment benefit universal credit over the past week after losing their jobs as a result of factories, shops and businesses closing. Claimants face a minimum five-week wait for the benefit to come through, although they can take out an immediate repayable advance loan deducted from future payments.Around 500,000 people have applied for the main unemployment benefit universal credit over the past week after losing their jobs as a result of factories, shops and businesses closing. Claimants face a minimum five-week wait for the benefit to come through, although they can take out an immediate repayable advance loan deducted from future payments.
Although charities have paid tribute to the government for acting swiftly there are already reports that the lowest paid are struggling to afford food and utilities like gas and electricity, and some food banks are reporting big increases in demand. Although charities have praised the government for acting swiftly, there are already reports that the lowest paid are struggling to afford food and utilities such as gas and electricity, and some food banks are reporting big increases in demand.
Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, said: “The number of children and pensioners in households below average income has fallen by 200,000 compared to 2010, but there is more we must do to address this imbalance. Thérèse Coffey, the work and pensions secretary, said: “The number of children and pensioners in households below average income has fallen by 200,000 compared to 2010, but there is more we must do to address this imbalance. This government is wholly committed to supporting the lowest-paid families and has already taken significant steps including raising the living wage, ending the benefit freeze and increasing work incentives.
“This government is wholly committed to supporting the lowest paid families and has already taken significant steps including raising the living wage, ending the benefit freeze and increasing work incentives.
“All my efforts are currently focused on providing support to those affected by Covid-19, but we will not lose sight of our commitment to address and tackle the root causes to unleash potential.”“All my efforts are currently focused on providing support to those affected by Covid-19, but we will not lose sight of our commitment to address and tackle the root causes to unleash potential.”
Helen Barnard, deputy director of policy & partnerships at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “The government has rightly recognised that we all want to support each other through these very difficult times, with a significant package of support for workers and some boosts to social security. Helen Barnard, deputy director of policy and partnerships at the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, said: “The government has rightly recognised that we all want to support each other through these very difficult times, with a significant package of support for workers and some boosts to social security. But many people living in poverty, who are already struggling against a tide of low wages, high costs and inadequate social security, will not be feeling the impact of these measures.”
“But many people living in poverty, who are already struggling against a tide of low wages, high costs and inadequate social security, will not be feeling the impact of these measures.” Imran Hussain, the director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children, said: “These grim figures show millions of families with children are already struggling to keep their heads above water even before they – and millions of others living comfortably – find themselves hit hard by the economic wave of this once-in-a-generation health crisis.”
Director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children, Imran Hussain, said: “These grim figures show millions of families with children are already struggling to keep their heads above water even before they – and millions of others living comfortably – find themselves hit hard by the economic wave of this once-in-a-generation health crisis.” Sam Royston, director of policy and research at the Children’s Society, said: “The figures show that poverty is not just rising but deepening, with 600,000 more children pulled into severe poverty compared to 2010. The current coronavirus crisis is likely to see this number continue to rise as parents face job losses and falls in earnings.”
Sam Royston, director of policy and research at the Children’s Society, said: “The figures show that poverty is not just rising, but deepening, with 600,000 more children pulled into severe poverty compared to 2010. The current coronavirus crisis is likely to see this number continue to rise as parents face job losses and falls in earnings.”