According to the Department for Work and Pensions latest household below average income statistics, “the largest increases in low-income measures are seen for children, with absolute measures showing the most increase”.
The data also highlights increases in income inequality and a reduction of the percentage of individuals in food secure households for all income groups, as nearly a fifth of the population struggle with basic needs.
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Care reforms will falter if child poverty is not cut
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Children's Workforce Guide to Qualifications and Training 2023/24
Between 2022 and 2023, more than 600,000 people in total fell into absolute poverty, bringing the total to 12 million, including 3.6 million children. Additionally, 46% of all families with three or more children were in poverty.
300,000 more UK children fell into absolute poverty at the height of the cost of living crisis.
— The Green Party (@TheGreenParty) March 22, 2024
The Government could solve this problem. They've chosen not to.
Only the Green Party would scrap the two-child benefit cap and boost Universal Credit to lift people out of poverty. pic.twitter.com/sEtz1rj2DU
Mary Glasgow, chief executive Children 1st said: "It's a scandal that one in four children live in poverty and work doesn’t pay enough for families to look after their children. Poverty has a devastating impact with horrific consequences for children's safety, health & opportunities.
"We are seeing the evidence unfold before our eyes in our services across Scotland. The Scottish government must urgently do more by increasing the Scottish Child Payment and raising awareness of what families are entitled so they can meet their children’s basic needs.”
New HBAI data for 2022-23 highlights just how difficult the cost of living crisis was for families.
— Resolution Foundation (@resfoundation) March 21, 2024
Food insecurity jumped from 5 million to 7 million, while the number of children living in absolute poverty rose to 3.6 million during this period.https://t.co/3oCUB60jHj pic.twitter.com/nmGyugKAZt
Lynn Perry, chief executive of Barnardo’s, added: “The new statistics published today show that the government has let down children and child poverty is on the rise again. The figures show 4.3 million children are growing up in poverty. This number represents an increase of more than 100,000 children – around the population of Eastbourne. It’s getting harder for young people growing up in the UK. The government needs to urgently focus on reducing child poverty.”
🚨 Child poverty has reached record levels.
— Nadia Whittome MP (@NadiaWhittomeMP) March 21, 2024
4.3 million children - 1 in 4 children in the UK - are living in poverty.
Absolute poverty is rising. Inequality is rising. Incomes fell last year for everyone but the top 20%.
This is the legacy of 14 years of Tory governments.
This comes as Anne Longfield, former Children’s Commissioner for England, told ministers that programmes within schools and nurseries should be at the forefront of a government plan to tackle childhood poverty.
