How our leaders let down our kids QA&
DR Gill Main, associate professor of Leeds University and co-editor of the Journal of Poverty and Social Justice, and Brid Featherstone, author and professor of social care at Huddersfield University, answer questions about the issue blighting Britain.
What is child poverty?
The most commonly reported measure of child poverty is living in a household in which the total income of adults living there is lower than 60% of the national median wage, says Dr Main. Other studies define poverty as “unacceptable hardship”.
She adds: “That means that the family has to go without some of the things we should all be able to take for granted.
“When we think of basic necessities food, adequate housing and health care might come to mind. But in the UK today there are other things, such as a computer and internet connection, which should be available to everyone. You need to be able to access the internet to claim social security benefits.” Why is there child poverty in the UK? And why is it rising now?
Dr Main says: “The UK is a very unequal country – although we are the sixth largest economy in the world, we are around the middle of the league table when countries are ranked according to inequality in incomes.”
Prof Featherstone blames 10 years of Tory cuts, saying: “Up to 2010, policies were in place aiming to increase the incomes of poor families and to help parents work through providing support and services like child care. Since 2010, successive Conservative-led governments have pursued an agenda of cutting public spending, which has impacted families with children much more than many other social groups.”
How can children still be in poverty when their parents are working?
Department of Work and Pensions figures show 72% of kids living in poverty are in families with at least one adult in paid work.
Dr Main says: “An increase in part-time and zero hours-contracts means incomes are lower, unstable, and inconsistent. Being in low-paid work can affect someone’s chances of progressing to higher-paid work, as there are limited chances to develop new skills.”
Parents can claim benefits. Aren’t families who don’t have enough just squandering the money they’re given?
Cuts to benefits have meant incomes have not kept up with poor families’ spending needs, says Prof Featherstone.
She adds: “The Government froze benefit rates in 2016, allowing inflation to systematically reduce the value of benefits.
“Housing Benefit has been cut, while housing costs are rising. These and other reductions and restrictions have made it much harder for people to make ends meet.” How does growing up in poverty affect a child’s future?
Dr Main says: “Children living in poverty are more likely to have health problems, and less likely to have good attendance and achievement at school, often leaving earlier with fewer qualifications.” Prof Featherstone adds: “The better off are nearly 80% more likely to end up in professional jobs than those from a working-class background.”