As many children and young people prepare to start a new year at school or college, too many pupils will be pursued through the corridors by the same issues they faced last year.
The cost-of-living crisis is still biting hard and the number of children living in poverty could well rise past the current figure of 4.3 million throughout the academic year. Sadly, the very uniforms being worn by students embarking on their new term can be a contributing factor to money worries for families.
The ability to buy clothing and other household essentials is one thing, but poverty is also a significant factor in exacerbating other issues.
Our own research tells us children living in poverty are significantly less content than their peers who are free from the burden of strict weekly budgets and financial concerns.
This profound reduction in happiness and wellbeing can negatively impact schooling and sever children from stable environments and essential relationships, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation.
These examples go to show how all-encompassing and critical the issue of poverty is in our society, and how urgently it needs to be addressed.
Despite this great need for improvement, the immediate future looks bleak for many families. At the end of September, the vital lifeline of the Household Support Fund is due to expire with no ready replacement. The Children’s Society, with the help of our supporters and networks, has been campaigning to save this local safety net and ensure no parent has to choose between feeding their child and paying the electricity bill. However, we are swimming against the tide of funding pressures on local authorities and saw 37 councils across England close their local welfare schemes last year.
In September, Labour will use its annual conference to build on the detail in the King’s Speech and set the agenda for this parliament. Through the Children’s Charities Coalition, we have been calling for children’s needs and voices to be at the heart of government decision making and for a cross-departmental strategy to address the important issues facing children. The announcement of the Children’s Wellbeing Bill and the inter-ministerial child poverty task force were a welcome indication of the prioritisation of children. However, we, along with many struggling families and disillusioned children, will be eagerly awaiting Labour’s concrete plans to tackle the most pressing issues affecting our young people.
Away from the big speeches and media glare, I am hopeful the party conference season will serve as an opportunity to exchange ideas and collaborate, to develop a clear and measurable approach to ensure children are safe, happy and healthy, and that their needs are prioritised.
I am encouraged by the first days of this new government, and the third sector welcomes their commitment to partner with charities. However, in the coming weeks and months we need to see the good words of new ministers translate into real action to change children’s lives for the better.
