Crisis adds to fear for children living in poverty

Around one in every 11 children in Bath and North East Somerset was living in poverty before the coronavirus crisis - and there are fears the situation could get much worse, as Elise Britten reports.

Although parts of the authority are relatively affluent, in some areas as many as 28 per cent of children are estimated to be living in poverty.

New Government figures have revealed that there were 3,811 children in Bath and North East Somerset living below the breadline in March 2019, even before the cost of housing was taken into account.

Many children are in poverty even though they have parents who are in work, research from the Reach data unit has found.

The number is up from 3,727 in 2018 and there is concern the coronavirus will see a drastic rise in these figures. The Twerton and Whiteway wards are ranked in the top 10 per cent of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK, according to Bath and North East Somerset Citizen’s Advice.

Charities are concerned the number of children living in poverty could dramatically increase as families struggle with the increased financial burden of the coronavirus and decreased access to services.

Les Redwood, below, chief executive of Bath and North East Somerset Citizens Advice, says the charity is already under “enormous, unprecedented, pressure” due to the coronavirus.

He said: “The aftermath of Covid-19 presents an enormous ongoing challenge considering the huge amount of debt the country and residents will be carrying as a result of this extremely difficult time.

“Of particular concern will be the impact of child poverty across B&NES - especially in some of those wards in the local authority that are already ranked amongst the poorest in the UK.

“Twerton and Whiteway wards are ranked in the top 10 per cent of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK and a significant proportion of the charity’s clients live in this area. In January, the charity launched a new debt advice service in Twerton at Bath City FC, during which the plight of children in the wards was highlighted by Ken Loach and Dr Phil Hammond, ambassadors for the charity.

“The temporary suspension of this face-to-face service and the increasing number of new firsttime-benefits clients contacting the charity is stretching extremely limited resources and there is concern that children in these disadvantaged areas may not receive the level of service they require as this safety net for the community is placed under enormous, unprecedented, pressure.

“Any help you can give us to directly support these children in these poorest wards in B&NES would be greatly appreciated by those families most in need. More details of this are on our website.”

The number of children living in poverty has risen despite one or more of their parents working.

Some 2,812 of the children living below the poverty line in March 2019 were in working families - 74 per cent of the total, and up from 2,730 in 2018.

Bath MP Wera Hobhouse, right, said: “Our country has become increasingly unequal and Bath is not exempt. “Over recent years we have seen funding for local authorities cut to the bone. The rise of the gig economy and zero hour contracts have meant that more and more working families are struggling.

“Growing up in poverty is an adverse childhood experience and can cause life-changing trauma.

“We need to rethink the way in which we approach funding of our public services.

“Within Parliament I have been campaigning to ensure that the impacts of adverse childhood experiences are taken into account when creating policy solutions.

“The coronavirus crisis will have a lasting impact on our society and economy. Many families who have been on the edge of poverty for years will slip below that line.

“I am actively working to ensure that they get the support they need - earlier this month I called on Government to support families in fuel poverty so that no one has to make a choice between heating and eating.

“I am encouraged by the work being done by B&NES Council, Citizens Advice, the local charities under the BANES 3SG banner, and local schools to support those who need the most help during this crisis within our community.”

The figures include teenagers up to the age of 19 who are still living at home with their parents or carers and are in full-time education or training.

The proportions are estimates based on DWP figures on the number of children living in families with a household income of less than 60 per cent of the UK average as of March 2019, and population estimates from the Office for National Statistics as of mid-2018.

As such, they can only offer an approximation of the proportion of children living in poverty - but the DWP has confirmed that they do give a broad indication of local areas with a very high or very low proportion.

Judith Cavanagh, coordinator of the End Child Poverty coalition, said: “These figures from Government show the extent to which we have been failing children in poverty even before the outbreak of coronavirus.

“We have not all entered this crisis equally. Children in poverty will be among the worst affected by the crisis as households see their income hit further, through loss of employment and the increased costs of staying home - such as food, fuel bills and supporting home schooling.

“Policies such as the two-child limit on children’s benefits and the benefit cap have made a significant contribution to the rise in child poverty over the past five years.

“As more families now have to turn to the benefits system as a result of coronavirus we are urging the Government to scrap those policies, which they argued acted as incentives to get people into work.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “We are doing whatever it takes to support the lowest paid families through these unprecedented times, implementing an extensive package of measures to do so.

“Widespread support is available to families, including increased Universal Credit payments, contributory benefits, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, Selfemployment Income Support Scheme, Statutory Sick Pay, mortgage holidays and greater protection for renters.

“Despite the challenges of the current pandemic we remain committed to providing opportunities and tackling the root causes of poverty.”

Bath and North East Somerset Council says it has also been playing its part.

Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said: “The local area has a strong track record of working in partnership to support families to thrive in Bath and North East Somerset.

“The council, businesses and other partners are working closely with the St John’s Foundation to deliver a sustainable strategy to enable all children in B&NES to achieve and be successful.

“The council provides support through housing and supporting foodbanks. Our council’s children’s services department protects and supports the most vulnerable and works with others to ensure basic needs are met.

“During Covid-19, the local area has set up the Compassionate Communities Hub to assist those most in need. People with concerns over food supply, welfare or wellbeing should seek support and advice from the hub on 0300 247 0050 (the line is open 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week).

“Schools and early years providers in B&NES are also playing their part as able providers of care for vulnerable children.”