Every year the End Child Poverty Coalition, together with the Centre for Research in Social Policy at Loughborough University, publishes data on the number of children living in poverty across the UK.
Commenting on the latest 2021/22 poverty figures, Peter Shreeve, Assistant District Secretary of the National Education Union, said,
“Latest ‘End Child Poverty’ coalition figures for 2021/22 show there are still 4.2 million children living in in poverty in the UK. That’s 29.2 percent.
“On the Isle of Wight this figure is higher at 34.2 percent – equal to 8,379 children.
“More surprising perhaps is the percentage of children in poverty who live in homes where at least one adult is in work. Calculations ‘before housing costs’ show 89 percent of Isle of Wight children living in poverty were in working families. This equates to 5,708 Isle of Wight children.”
Child poverty figures remain stubbornly high
Mr Shreeve went on to say,
“Child poverty figures remain stubbornly high and much more needs to be done to help. We need to act before the numbers increase even further.
“This 2021/22 report does not yet cover the recent ‘cost of living crisis’ and persistent high inflation. We therefore expect that next year’s report will almost certainly show a worsening rather than an improved picture.”
Free school meals for all primary pupils
Mr Shreeve finished by saying,
“This is why, we want our MP, Bob Seely, to support the Free School Meals for All Bill, when it is read for the second time in Parliament on 30th June.
“The Isle of Wight National Education Union is asking those living on the Isle of Wight to support a petition to provide free school meals for all primary pupils.”
See the Megaphone Website to add your name to the petition.
