The living standards of the UK’s most impoverished families have experienced a “frightening” decline over the past year due to rising energy and food prices. According to a survey conducted by the Buttle UK charity, nearly two-thirds of these families are facing extreme poverty and deprivation. The annual survey, which involved frontline poverty and social services professionals, highlighted a significant rise in hunger and mental illness among vulnerable families struggling with the increasing cost of living. The charity noted that this year’s survey included some of the most distressing accounts of children in need they had ever encountered, emphasizing the life-changing and life-limiting effects of deep poverty.
One respondent shared a heartbreaking story about a child they visited weekly for emotional support. The child lacked proper-fitting shoes, faced frequent exclusion from school, and resorted to stealing an apple due to hunger. The respondent described the child’s isolated and bleak existence, remarking that such a situation seems unfathomable in the UK in 2023.
Survey participants reported that over half of the families they worked with could not afford basic necessities like food, heating, rent, or internet access. Nearly half had to go without essential household appliances, while close to two-thirds relied on food banks for sustenance. Another respondent described their work with a child living in a cold, dark home because their parents couldn’t afford to heat or light it. This child faced anxiety about their parents’ well-being and could not attend friends’ birthday parties due to the lack of a small gift.
While most families sought support from local authorities, respondents noted that services had been reduced or were insufficient to meet the demand. Mental health and homelessness support, in particular, were severely impacted. Food banks were the only service that saw an increase in capacity.
The children affected by these circumstances experienced poor health, well-being, and hygiene. They often faced isolation, emotional and physical abuse, and struggled to engage with education. The survey highlighted the disproportionate impact of the cost of living crisis on disabled children.
Buttle UK surveyed 1,240 professionals working in child protection, family support, housing, homelessness, and schools. These professionals collectively worked with around 200,000 children nationwide, with 120,000 (60%) of them reported to be living in destitution.
Joseph Howes, the chief executive of Buttle UK, expressed concern over the stark increase in destitute children and young people. He called for a child poverty strategy to provide long-term support and emphasized the need for immediate action to rescue hundreds of thousands of children from the harmful effects of poverty.
A government spokesperson acknowledged the pressure families face due to the rising cost of living but highlighted a decrease of 400,000 children living in poverty since 2010. They stated that the government is providing significant financial support, averaging £3,300 per household, and working to combat inflation to alleviate financial burdens.
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