One in three children worry about money

CHILDREN across the south east are concerned about family finances.

According to data revealed by children’s charity, Action for Children, a third of all children in the region worry about their family having enough money to live comfortably as the cost of living crisis deepens.

The charity polled more than 5,000 people, across three generations, to explore the biggest issues affecting childhood post pandemic in a revisit of its study from 2019.

Nationally, amongst the children surveyed from lowincome backgrounds, 47% said they worry about their family’s finances.

Only 14% of children from high income families experience the same concerns.

Experts warn the UK could be facing the biggest income squeeze in nearly 50 years with rising fuel and food prices, with the conflict in Ukraine likely to push up living costs even further.

Imran Hussain, director of policy and campaigns at Action for Children, said: “It is the fundamental responsibility of any government to make sure every generation of children has a better childhood and a brighter future than the last.

“Day in, day out our frontline staff support children in the south east grappling to see how they fit into our complex world - navigating big issues including financial worries, climate change and the pandemic.

Mr Hussain is calling on the government to implement a strategy to tackle the issue of child poverty.

“The government needs a clear plan to reduce child poverty and it can take immediate action to support those on the lowest incomes by making sure benefits keep pace with the soaring cost of living in the tough months ahead,” he said.