Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
The number of children growing up in poverty in working households is set to be 1 million (50%) higher this year than in 2010, according to new TUC research published. The analysis – carried out for the TUC by Landman Economics – estimates that 3.1 million children with working parents will be below the official breadline in 2018, compared to 2.1 million at the start of the decade.
Kids with at least one working parent will account for two-thirds of children living in poverty in 2018. The analysis shows that 600,000 children (with working parents) have been pushed into poverty as a result of the government’s in-work benefit cuts and public sector pay restrictions.
The TUC says that other key factors behind the 1 million rise in child poverty are:
The research shows the impact of public sector pay restrictions and in-work benefit cuts on household incomes.
The analysis reveals that:
The East Midlands is set to have the biggest increase in child poverty among working families (+76%), followed by the West Midlands (+66%) and Northern Ireland (+60%). The figures are published as tens of thousands of workers prepare to march in London this Saturday as part of the TUC’s ‘A New Deal for Working People’ demonstration.
TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Child poverty in working households has shot up since 2010. Years of falling incomes and benefit cuts have had a terrible human cost. Millions of parents are struggling to feed and clothe their kids. The government is in denial about how many working families just can’t make ends meet. That’s why tens of thousands will be marching in London this Saturday to demand a new deal for working people.”
“We need ministers to boost the minimum wage now, and use the social security system to make sure no child grows up in a family struggling to get by.”
Estimated increase in number of children living in poverty with a working parent since 2010 (nation/region)
| Region | Number of children in poverty 2010 | Number of children in poverty 2018 | Extra children in poverty 2018 (000s) | Extra children in poverty 2018 (%) |
| North East | 70,500 | 112,000 | 41,000 | 58% |
| North West | 240,000 | 341,000 | 102,000 | 42% |
| Yorkshire | 209,000 | 272,000 | 63,000 | 30% |
| East Midlands | 126,000 | 222,000 | 96,000 | 76% |
| West Midlands | 189,000 | 312,000 | 124,000 | 66% |
| East of England | 180,000 | 262,000 | 82,000 | 45% |
| London | 353,000 | 538,500 | 185,000 | 52% |
| South East | 252,000 | 372,000 | 120,000 | 48% |
| South West | 166,00 | 246,000 | 80,000 | 48% |
| England | 1,784,000 | 2,677,000 | 893,000 | 50% |
| Scotland | 122,000 | 185,000 | 63,000 | 52% |
| Wales | 112,000 | 152,000 | 39,000 | 35% |
| Northern Ireland | 56,000 | 89,000 | 33,000 | 60% |
| UK | 2,100,000 | 3,100,000 | 1,000,000 | 50% |