100,000 more UK children now living in poverty

Save the Children's response to Household Below Average Income statistics

Tuesday 10 June 2008

Phillipa Hunt, Save the Children Spokesperson, said: "We are shocked that the number of UK children living in poverty has increased - an additional 100,000 children are now living in poverty since last year. This is a poor result that will be a set-back to the Government's target of halving the number of children living in poverty by 2010. Yet we know if they commit the money needed this target can be met."

Poverty levels in the UK have barely dropped since 2000. Last year's figures showed incomes for the poorest 10% of children fell by 2.2%, worsening the levels of child poverty in the UK.

A recent YouGov survey for Save the Children also showed that the poorest families are suffering most from rising prices. Of those in households with a net income under £15,000 a year, 85% have had to cut back on basic such as food and clothing.

Hunt continued: "Many families on very low incomes continue to struggle to live on the money they have, resulting in them cutting back on essentials such as buying food or clothing. While the impact of the £1bn pledged by the Government in the March budget isn't yet reflected in these figures, today's results demonstrate more action is urgently required. Poverty has a direct impact on every aspect of a child's life, as a member of the Campaign to End Child Poverty we are calling on the Government to commit the £3bn needed to halve child poverty by 2010 and make a real difference to a million children's lives.

"This and last years figures have made it clear that unless government's continue their commitment to invest in child poverty then child poverty in the UK will rise."

 -Ends-

For interviews with our spokespeople or more information please contact:

Rachel Bhatia at the Save the Children Media Office on: 0797 0511 242

 Notes:

  • As part of the Campaign to End Child Poverty, Save the Children is calling for a £3 billion investment for the Government to meet its target of halving child poverty by 2010 http://www.endchildpoverty.org.uk/
  • All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc.  Total sample size was 2,051 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 25th - 28th April 2008.  The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+).
  • Over the past four years the poverty line has  increased at an average of £2.45 per week (in real terms) for  a family of one parent and one child, and £4.41 per  week for two parents with two children that's equivalent to just £127.76 and £229.32, respectively,  per year for these two family types. Incomes for those in poverty only needed to grow at these rates to maintain existing poverty levels; any increase above these would have reduced levels of poverty.