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28/05/2014
Five Million Children Could Be In Poverty By 2020
A record five million children in the UK could be trapped in poverty by 2020, according to new research by Save the Children.
The new report, A Fair Start for Every Child, reveals that children have paid the highest price in the recession, with families having been hit by a triple whammy of years of flat wages, cuts to benefits and the rising cost of living. They have been squeezed by food prices rising by 19% more than the general price level of other goods between 2007 and 2011. Childcare costs have also soared with a nursery place for a child under two rising by 77% between 2003 and 2013.
Despite a cross party commitment to end child poverty by 2020, new projections show that the numbers living in poverty could increase by 1.4 million in the same period, a rise of 41% on the 3.5 million children currently living in poverty.
Justin Forsyth, Save the Children's CEO said: "We're increasingly worried that unless there is a dramatic change of course we're at risk of writing off the future of millions of British children, giving them an unfair start in life.
"This isn't just a question of statistics; we see families through our programmes around the UK who are really struggling. Millions of children in the UK are being left behind - sentenced to a lifetime of poverty. Far too many of our children are living in cold and damp homes, without healthy food, with parents who can see no end to their situation. If we ignore the rising toll of poverty we are blighting the future of a further 1.4million children. In one of the world's richest countries there is simply no excuse."
Save the Children's new estimate is based on work by Landman Economics adding projected future social security cuts, as committed to by all three major parties, to existing Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates.
(CVS/CD)
The new report, A Fair Start for Every Child, reveals that children have paid the highest price in the recession, with families having been hit by a triple whammy of years of flat wages, cuts to benefits and the rising cost of living. They have been squeezed by food prices rising by 19% more than the general price level of other goods between 2007 and 2011. Childcare costs have also soared with a nursery place for a child under two rising by 77% between 2003 and 2013.
Despite a cross party commitment to end child poverty by 2020, new projections show that the numbers living in poverty could increase by 1.4 million in the same period, a rise of 41% on the 3.5 million children currently living in poverty.
Justin Forsyth, Save the Children's CEO said: "We're increasingly worried that unless there is a dramatic change of course we're at risk of writing off the future of millions of British children, giving them an unfair start in life.
"This isn't just a question of statistics; we see families through our programmes around the UK who are really struggling. Millions of children in the UK are being left behind - sentenced to a lifetime of poverty. Far too many of our children are living in cold and damp homes, without healthy food, with parents who can see no end to their situation. If we ignore the rising toll of poverty we are blighting the future of a further 1.4million children. In one of the world's richest countries there is simply no excuse."
Save the Children's new estimate is based on work by Landman Economics adding projected future social security cuts, as committed to by all three major parties, to existing Institute for Fiscal Studies estimates.
(CVS/CD)
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15 October 2003
Government 'on course' to meet short-term poverty goals
The government is on course to meet its short-term target for reducing child poverty, according to projections for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The foundation has said that around one million children will have been taken out of poverty by the spring of 2004, compared with 1997.
Government 'on course' to meet short-term poverty goals
The government is on course to meet its short-term target for reducing child poverty, according to projections for the Joseph Rowntree Foundation. The foundation has said that around one million children will have been taken out of poverty by the spring of 2004, compared with 1997.
19 June 2007
More than a million children affected by 'severe poverty'
Nearly 1.3 million children are living in severe poverty in the UK, a report by Save the Children has revealed. The charity said that around one in ten children in the UK are now living in families where the income is so low that children are living without essentials like a proper diet or heating in the home.
More than a million children affected by 'severe poverty'
Nearly 1.3 million children are living in severe poverty in the UK, a report by Save the Children has revealed. The charity said that around one in ten children in the UK are now living in families where the income is so low that children are living without essentials like a proper diet or heating in the home.
14 June 2012
2% Fall In Child Poverty Figures
New official figures have revealed that the number of children living in poverty in the UK fell by 300,000 last year. Figures for 2010/11, show that 2.3 million children (18%) lived in households classed as below the poverty line, a 2% decrease on the previous year. The numbers are based on median incomes, which also went down in the same period.
2% Fall In Child Poverty Figures
New official figures have revealed that the number of children living in poverty in the UK fell by 300,000 last year. Figures for 2010/11, show that 2.3 million children (18%) lived in households classed as below the poverty line, a 2% decrease on the previous year. The numbers are based on median incomes, which also went down in the same period.
03 February 2005
Mandela addresses anti-poverty rally in London
Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, has told the crowds at an anti-poverty rally in London that the fight against poverty was as important as the fight against slavery.
Mandela addresses anti-poverty rally in London
Former South African president, Nelson Mandela, has told the crowds at an anti-poverty rally in London that the fight against poverty was as important as the fight against slavery.
21 August 2003
Children in poverty need extra £5 per week, says charity
The government will "almost certainly" miss its first target for reducing child poverty unless tax credits for children are increased from next April, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) claimed today.
Children in poverty need extra £5 per week, says charity
The government will "almost certainly" miss its first target for reducing child poverty unless tax credits for children are increased from next April, the Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) claimed today.
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