Protecting our children means ending poverty

Poverty permeates every aspect of daily life. Parents are forced to choose between heating their homes or paying their rent. Many go hungry just so their children can eat. More and more families are relying on food banks – many of which are struggling to meet demand. We know that outcomes for children are impacted: they are less able to achieve academically and socially in school and are more likely to suffer from poor health than their wealthier peers.

The Institute for Fiscal Studies forecasts that in the next few years, 5.2 million children will be living in poverty in the UK. Poverty is setting many children and young people up for a lifetime of disadvantage.

Demand for children’s services has risen significantly over the past decade. Research found that, at 31 March 2016, the number of children subject to an initial child protection plan had increased by 78% since 2007-08. It is likely the year ahead will see more families requiring support from children’s services.

A rise in the number of overweight children could be linked to poverty, says an expert at the University of Huddersfield. A study which followed progress of almost 12,000 children born in 2000 and 2001 in the UK found a “stark increase” in overweight and obesity levels of children between the ages of seven and 11. At the age of seven, 25% of children were overweight or obese, but by age 11 this had risen to 35%.

Dr Kiara Lewis, head of health and wellbeing at the University of Huddersfield, said: “The underlying causal factor may well be poverty.” She said a recent report by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) into tackling the childhood obesity crisis, found that at age five, children living in poverty were twice as likely to be obese than their less deprived peers. By age 11 this has widened to three times as likely. Dr Lewis said the ‘eat less, exercise’ message did not take into account factors affecting children living in poverty. “Families living in poverty will have more takeaway and fast food outlets, live in overcrowded and unsuitable housing and more likely to experience family breakdown, stress, mental health issues and financial problems,” she said.