CYP Now - Families with young children face huge rise in poverty, research warns

One in three children from families with young children are living in poverty, with parents working part-time affected almost as badly as those who are unemployed, new figures show.

A lack of social housing is contributing to a rise in early childhood poverty, according to researchers. Picture: Adobe Stock

While child poverty rates have fluctuated since 2000, there has been a sustained increase since 2013/14, with families with young children experiencing the steepest rise, researchers warn.

The evidence review from the Nuffield Foundation looks at children from families with at least one child under five.

It highlights “inconsistent” government policies around child poverty and changes to the benefit system including the introduction of the “two-child limit” and a reduction in support for working parents as responsible for the rise.

An increase in private renting due to lack of social housing is also a factor the report adds.

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