I'm lucky. My children are lucky. We are far from rich but we don't go hungry. My children don't have to worry if Mum and Dad are going to starve so they can be fed; they have nice warm coats to keep them safe from the bitter cold this Winter. We are very lucky.
Save the Children say that it's the UK's poorest children who are suffering the biggest burden of the recession. They have worry on their shoulders as their parents go without meals in order to provide food for them. They don't have winter coats or new shoes; no welcoming hot meal after a busy day at school because the family simply can't afford them. This puts enormous emotional strain on little people who should not have anything more to worry about than who to hang with at lunchtime - it's not right and it breaks my heart.
'In Save the Children's major new report "It Shouldn't Happen Here", the charity highlights children's - as well as parents’ - experiences living in recession-hit Britain and the extent to which poverty is blighting young lives.'
The report reveals that a frightening 1 in 8 of the poorest children in the UK will go without at least one hot meal a day, with 1 in 10 of the UK's poorest parents cutting back back on their own food to make sure their children have enough to eat.
'Behind the projected increases in child poverty are the day to day struggles of families on low incomes - many of them in work, but still in poverty.'
Showing the harsh reality of family life under pressure, the survey finds that children worry about their family not having enough money, with more than half of those living in poverty saying the lack of cash made their parents unhappy or stressed. Almost a quarter of the poorest parents say they are arguing more or snap at their children because of their money troubles.
As the UK's children go back to school this week, 1 in 7 of the poorest children surveyed say they will have to go without a warm winter coat and new shoes when they need them. And nearly a fifth of children living in poverty say they miss out on school trips because their parents haven't got the money to pay. A massive 80% of parents admitted that they were borrowing more money for essentials such as food and clothes.
'Alison, aged 14 who said: "When I ask for stuff, my mum tells me to go away. I wish I could just get a whole load of money and give it to her."Save the Children spoke to more than 1500 youngsters and 5000 parents in their wide-ranging report. The charity says it's aiming to raise £500,000 to help its work in the UK, targeting the poorest children - the first time it has appealed to the UK public for funds to help children at home.
This is not something our children should have to go through. Witnessing the financial worries their parents face is putting a weight on shoulders too young to carry it. They should be able to concentrate on their own futures.
'11-year-old Duncan told researchers: "My mum makes sacrifices so that I can do the hobbies I want to do to keep me off the streets. She cuts back on buying herself new shoes and clothes."
Save the Children is calling for the Government to encourage more employers to pay the living wage, so parents can earn enough to lift their children out of poverty; to strengthen the new welfare system - Universal Credit - by allowing working parents to keep more of their earnings before benefits are withdrawn; and to help parents afford to work by providing extra child care support so 80% of costs are covered.
"Child Poverty in 2012, It Shouldn’t Happen Here" also reveals for the poorest children:
- 43% of children see their parents cutting back on things for themselves such as food and clothes (27% of low income parents say they skip meals because they can't afford food)
- Over a third of children (36%) say their family struggles to pay the bills.
- 15% of children say they go without new shoes when they’ve grown out of their old ones, 14% go without a warm winter coat and 23% of parents say their children miss out on school trips because they can't afford them.
- 29% of parents say they can’t afford to have their children's friends over for tea and 10% miss out on celebrating their birthday.
- 13% have stopped asking for anything because they know their parents can’t afford it, with a further 25% only asking for things they really need.
Justin Forsyth, Save the Children’s Chief Executive, said: "Given that most children living in poverty have at least one parent in work; it is appalling that those parents can’t earn enough to give themselves and their kids a decent life. All working parents should be able to earn enough to meet the basic needs of their children. The Government must make work pay by encouraging more employers to introduce a living wage, provide extra child care support to help parents trying to get into work and protect the poorest and most disadvantaged from further cuts."
To find out more or donate please go to: www.savethechildren.org.uk/ukpoverty
You can also make a donation at your local Morrisons store between 24th - 30th September when there will be bucket collections taking place at all stores across the country, in support of Save the Children's UK Appeal.
Linking up with Babyhuddle - have a read and help raise awareness with your own post if you can.
Linking up with Babyhuddle - have a read and help raise awareness with your own post if you can.
