Shock report: cuts to have a ‘catastrophic’ effect on child poverty
A report from UNICEF reveals that the government’s austerity drive is reversing attempts made to reduce child poverty in the UK. This article recounts that while the UK was more successful than other rich countries during the early years of the recession, spending cuts are now undermining progress. The UK is 21 out of 29 in a league table of child deprivation in economically advanced countries – with Romania at number 1 having the highest levels and Iceland at 29 having the lowest levels. Earlier this week I attended Oxfam GB’s UK Poverty Programme Learning Review. I was invited becasue of the work Jessica and I have been doing for them on poverty amongst upland farmers. Views, experiences, work and stories were shared – from Bags with Attitude tour to the work Seedley and Langworthy Trust (SALT) and Salford Council are doing around the informal economy. For me, what stands out from the Oxfam event and this report is the huge inequality between rich and poor. While the UK is the world’s sixth largest economy, according to Oxfam 1 in 5 of the population live below the official poverty line and experience life as a daily struggle. Although differences between the haves and have nots dates back 7,000 years, perhaps it is time to focus again on the effects of austerity measures, how to provide access to decent local work and welfare reform? Also, do look out for Oxfam’s upcoming report on UK poverty ‘The Perfect Storm’, being launched on 14 June.