Child_Poverty

When asked, “What is child poverty”' We recall images that have been well publicised around the world, we define and associate them with the developing world, images of corrugated shacks and barren fields with ruined crops, children searching through rubbish dumps, drinking contaminated water and dying of preventable diseases. We would not consider that this would be happening in the UK. According to the Department of Work and Pensions there are 3.6 million children living in poverty. Families that live on a low income are reported to be living on £12 per day, per person, which has to cover basic necessities such as food, gas, electric and water, also consider other items such as shoes, clothes and household equipment that needs repairing or replacing, for some, child poverty is the result of their circumstances. Individuals and families can be in poverty or classed as poverty stricken as they lack the resources to provide basic living conditions, which is customary in society (Barnado’s 2012/Poverty action group). Evidence regarding the impact of Child poverty and what are the main causes of poverty. The proportion of children living in poverty grew from 1 in 10 in 1979 to 1 in 3 in 1998. Today, 30 per cent of children in Britain are living in poverty. The UK has one of the worst rates of child poverty in the industrialised world. The majority (59 per cent) of children live in a household where at least one adult works, 40 per cent of children live in a household headed by a lone parent. The majority of poor children (57 per cent) live in a household headed by a couple. According to Child Action Poverty Group and Barnardo’s, lone parent households contribute 41 per cent of children living in poverty, compared to 23 per cent in two parent families, also contributing to this is unemployment and low benefits, the average benefit payment is £219 per week, which is well below the poverty line (child benefit April2012). The Uk has the highest proportion of children were parents do not work, low out of work benefits adds to children living in poverty. Lone parents often feel isolated and lack confidence this can have an impact on their mental and physical health, which can lead to social exclusion. Large families often struggle as the rising cost of school uniforms and equipment can put them into debt, debt can also be one of the main causes of poverty, many families that are surviving on low pay tend to stay on low pay, this contributes to them being trapped in poverty, evidence states that families with more than five children earn less than families with smaller numbers. due to the lack of affordable childcare (The day care trust 2009). Families with disabilities are at an increased risk and the cost of living is considerably increased, an additional £99.15p a week to cover extra costs (Barnados 2007). There is a much higher level of poverty among ethnic minority groups. In the UK, 65% of Bangladeshis live in poverty compared to 55% of Pakistanis, 45% of Black Africans and 30% of Indians and Black Caribbeans. Over half of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and Black African children in the UK are growing up in poverty with a staggering 70% of Bangladeshi children growing up poor (JFR foundation).