Policy Hub
According to a report published on 2 November 2009 by the Campaign to End Child Poverty, two million British children now have no parent in work and the number of children in families required to survive on benefits has increased by 170,000 in just twelve months.
The report finds that child poverty is growing in affluent areas as well as those traditionally hard hit, with Berkshire and Surrey experiencing the highest proportionate rises in unemployment. Similarly, the report warns that the number of children growing up in families without jobs is rising to its highest level for a decade. Consequently, it insists that without substantial investment now, 2.3 million children will be living in poverty in 2010 - more than half a million above the government’s target.
Rising unemployment has created a new poverty crisis with an 18% rise in families with both parents out of work. The report urges the government to provide additional financial support for families receiving benefits and tax credits, together with a wider recession recovery package that improves childcare, helps parents work part-time without losing benefits and meets extra school costs.
Through thick and thin: tackling child poverty in hard times (PDF)