As the new school year approaches, Buttle UK has released their fifth annual ‘The State of Child Poverty Report 2023‘.
The national charity, focusing on supporting children and young people facing complex issues, has conducted a survey involving 1,240 frontline professionals who collectively care for over 200,000 children and young people.
Buttle UK’s mission
Buttle UK’s dedication to preventing children from falling further into crisis is at the heart of their mission.
They work to help youngsters reach their potential by providing effective targeted intervention.
Poverty’s impact on children
The report highlights the effect of poverty on children and young people’s living experience.
It reveals a concerning trend in the number of children living in destitution, with alarming year-on-year increases.
Peter Shreeve’s insight
Commenting on the report, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, expressed grave concern over the situation. He said,
“When comparing with last year’s findings, it’s clear, poverty is worsening.
“‘The frightening fall in household living standards has rippling impacts on mental health, education and access to opportunities.'”
Frontline workers reported that 60 per cent of the children they support live in destitution, a startling increase from 45 per cent in 2022 and 36 per cent in 2021.
Deepening Poverty
The report clarified the situation, saying,
“We are talking not just about significant hardship, but life-changing and life-limiting deep poverty.”
The remaining 40% supported by this group still suffer, with many “on the edge or tipping into this abyss”.
Shreeve pondered,
“The question therefore: If poverty is worsening for this group, then surely, it’s worsening for many outside this group, including on the Isle of Wight?”
Education and disadvantage
Last week’s exam results have raised further concerns about a growing disadvantage gap.
Disproportionate effects by Covid and a lack of ‘catch-up funding’ are particularly felt in schools in disadvantaged areas, reflecting the widening gap between disadvantaged children and their more affluent peers.
Shreeve added,
“Indeed, the year-on year change between the last three annual surveys dramatically illustrate the progressively worsening circumstances with increasing numbers struggling to engage in education.”
Desperate need for support
Indicating a critical situation, Shreeve added,
“So many people and organisations are working hard to increase the support it provides, but this report again shows the scale of the task facing us all in this area of work.”
Yet, an increasing “pervasive sense of desperation” has been expressed by frontline workers, best reflected in one worker’s comment:
“Education is becoming a luxury some families can no longer prioritise.”
Immense challenges
The findings from Buttle UK’s latest report underline a disturbing trend of worsening child poverty in the UK.
The challenges are immense, and the situation appears to be deteriorating at a rapid pace.
With education at risk and living standards falling, the support for vulnerable children and young people has never been more urgent. The entire nation must recognise the scale of this crisis and take united action to address the growing gap between the disadvantaged and their more fortunate peers.
